Sclerotherapy

What Are Varicose, Reticular & Spider Veins?

Varicose, reticular, and spider veins are three related types of venous problems that may occur when veins become distended due to a 'backflow' of blood. Failure of one-way valves is typically responsible for this. Distended veins are often called 'incompetent' because they are no longer functioning properly.

Types of venous insufficiency

Competent - smooth skin suggets healthy veins

Varicose - large, swollen veins that are visible under the skin

Reticular - Smaller and less visible than varicose but still swollen

Spider - Thin, red or purple veins that appear spider web-like

What are some of the symptoms?

Some symptoms of venous insufficiency include swelling, aching, heaviness, or pain in the legs, especially after standing or sitting for long periods. In severe cases, varicose veins can result in complications such as ulcers, bleeding, inflammation, skin rash, and blood clots.

Women are more likely to have varicose veins compared to men

What are the causes of varicose veins?

Family History

Age

Obesity

Lack of mobility

Previous venous thrombosis or leg injury

Occupations that involve a lot of standing

Female hormones associated with puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

What is sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a solution called a sclerosant (i.e. Aethoxysklerol) into the vein using a very fine needle, which has an effect on the walls of the vein that causes it to shut down.

Sclerotherapy treatment for varicose veins

Main Types Of Sclerotherapy

Microsclerotherapy

Spider veins are treated by microsclerotherapy, where Dr Theivendran will inject visible surface veins directly.

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

Deeper veins that may not be directly visible to the eye can be treated with Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS), where Dr Theivendran will use ultrasound to precisely locate and treat the incompetent veins.

Catheter Guided Sclerotherapy

This approach involves a long catheter being inserted into the vein to deliver the sclerosant at a precise location and treat the area with minimal injections.

Dr Theivendran may use one or more of these techniques for sclerotherapy. He may also recommend other types of treatment, such as endovenous radiofrequency ablation, venaseal glue or open surgery.

Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy

Ultrasound is used to locate the varicose vein, which helps to accurately inject the sclerosant agent.

Once the sclerosant agent is injected into the vein, it causes the varicose vein to collapse

Photo of sclerosant being injected as treatment for varicose veins

BEFORE - bulge indicated injected solution

AFTER - 3-4 months later yellow indicates constricted vein

Progress example of sclerotherapy treatment

Prior to Treatment

After 1st Treatment

After 2nd Treatment

After 3rd Treatment

The Sclerosant, Aethoxysklerol

Sclerotherapy with Aethoxysklerol is generally very effective, and in around 70% of cases, the procedure achieves very good results with one cycle. Often a few treatments are required to gain these results. However, sometimes the incompetent veins can be very resistant to treatment and may not be cleared effectively by sclerotherapy. Since sclerotherapy doesn't cure any underlying genetic or hormonal causes, treated veins can recur in some cases. Usually, they can be treated again if this happens.

Some common side effects: