Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins

Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a solution (sclerosant) directly into the vein using fine needles. The Sclerosant irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together preventing further blood flow through the vein. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view and because there is no blood flowing through it the vein is not seen.
Sclerotherapy is a proven procedure which has been in use since the 1930s

Candidates for Sclerotherapy

A consultation is required to determine your suitability for sclerotherapy.

Contraindications

You cannot have sclerotherapy if you are pregnant.
If you have had a blood clot previously, you may not be able to have sclerotherapy but this will dependent upon where your clot was, the area you need to be treated and your overall health. The doctor assess these will advise accordingly.
Veins that are potentially usable for future heart bypass surgery will generally not be considered for sclerotherapy.

The Procedure
 

In most cases of sclerotherapy, the sclerosant is injected through a very fine needle directly into the vein. This is mildly uncomfortable and you may experience a cramping sensation for one to two minutes, especially when larger veins are injected. The procedure itself takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
The number of veins that we can inject in one session varies, and depends on the size and location of the veins, as well as the general medical condition of the client. We usually book sclerotherapy in half hour treatments and treat as many veins as we can in that time.
Sclerotherapy is performed in the clinic and does not need a hospital admission

Preparation for Sclerotherapy
 

You must discuss all your medications with our doctor at your consultation (including over the counter drugs, herbs, and supplements) as some medications must be ceased prior to treatment.
If you need to take an antibiotic before sclerotherapy, contact the doctor.
Do not apply any lotions or creams to the area on the day of treatment.
We recommend that you avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs for 48 hours before sclerotherapy.

Post Treatment

After sclerotherapy you will be able to drive yourself home and resume your regular daily activities. Walking is encouraged.
You will need to wear a support stocking for two weeks after treatment - for this reason, sclerotherapy is common winter time treatment.
 The stocking will help flatten the vein. If you have compression hosiery from previous treatments, bring them with you so that we can assess if they still have adequate compression.
 

Avoid the following for 48 hours after treatment:

• Aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory drugs for at least 48 hours.
• Hot baths
• Hot compresses
• Spa baths, steamrooms or saunas
• Direct exposure to sunlight

Shower in  cooler water than usual for the first 48 hours.
The injection sites may be washed with mild soap and tepid water.
 

Side Effects of Sclerotherapy

Milder side effects include itching which can last for one or two days after the procedure.
You may experience raised, red areas at the injection site. These should disappear within a few days. Bruising may also occur around the injection side and can last several days or weeks. Occasionally these will require IPL treatments which will be a further cost.

More severe side effects include

• Larger veins may become lumpy and hard and take several months to dissolve and fade.
• Brown lines or spots may appear at the vein site. In most cases, these resolve within three to six months.
• The development of new, tiny blood vessels may occur at the site of sclerotherapy treatment. This is called Neovascularization They may appear days or weeks after the procedure, but should fade within three to twelve months without further treatment.

Cause for Concern

• Should any of the following occur, contact the clinic immediately.:
• Inflammation within five inches of the groin
• A sudden onset of a swollen leg
• Formation of small ulcers at the injection site.

If you have a history of allergies, you have a greater chance of experiencing an allergic reaction to the sclerosant.  Allergic reactions to the sclerosant may occur at the time of the injection but are rarely serious. Minor allergic reactions will cause itching and swelling.

Effectiveness

Studies have shown that 50%-80% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session of sclerotherapy. Less than 10% of the people treated do not respond to the injections at all. In these instances, different solutions can be tried.
Sclerotherapy works for most patients, but there are no guarantees for success.
In general, spider veins respond in three to six weeks, and larger veins respond in three to four months. If the veins respond to the treatment, they will not reappear. However, new veins may appear at the same rate as before and you may return for injections.

For a consultation please call 1300 303 014