Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is a popular method of eliminating varicose veins and superficial telangiectasias (spider veins). Varicose veins are very thin-walled, dilated veins that have become elongated and tortuous. Those in the skin have a spider web-like appearance and are known by various names, including spider veins, web veins, reticular networks, or venous stars. Larger veins, placed somewhat more deeply, may appear as bumps or lumpy protrusions under the skin and may or may not appear in clusters or groups quite deep in the skin.  These large areas may be quite tender and may cause symptoms of fatigue, aching pain and heaviness, relieved by leg elevation.

Treatment of varicose veins includes removal of the large veins by surgery and obliteration of the small veins by injection. Injection therapy has been part of the treatment of varicose vein for more than 50 years and, though it has been given many new names recently, none of the methods used in injecting varicose veins has changed a great deal over the past 10 years.  Therefore the results of therapy as well as the complications of treatment are well known.

The principle of injection is to fill the vein being treated with a solution that will empty the vein of blood and cause the vein wall to become inflamed. As a result, the walls of the vein will scar together and the vein will become obliterated and will no longer be visible. Because the veins of the lower extremities are under high pressure, there is a tendency for recurrence of varicose veins. Either new varicosities may develop or those that have been injected may recur over time. This requires that an individual understand the need to return to the doctor for re-checks and minor additional treatments.

The number of treatments necessary to clear or improve the condition differs with each patient, and depends on the extent of the varicose and spider veins. Usually one to three treatments is needed.

Following your free consultation with our physician, he will decide if sclerotherapy is the best treatment option for you. A pre-procedure Doppler ultrasound must be done to map out your veins. Following the treatment a compression stockings are applied and must be worn continuously for five days. Following treatment you can go about your normal daily activities – walking is recommended.

It should be understood that sclerotherapy is not a miracle cure. Neither injection therapy nor anything else will return the skin of the lower extremities to the way it was as a teenager. Certainly, most of the objectionable veins can be obliterated, and the legs can be brought to a point where they will appear acceptable under sheer stockings. Nevertheless, small blemishes inevitably remain that are visible to the naked eye. A variety of vascular lasers can then be used to minimise the appearance of these tiny remaining vessels. The process is slow and tedious and requires a great deal of patience on the part of the patient. However, the treatment procedure has proved acceptable to patients, as evidenced by the fact that they return for follow-up treatments as necessary.

Please consider this information to be an introduction to the subject. Questions and discussion about treatment of your particular vein problem are welcome.

Wollongong Cosmetic & Skin Cancer Centre  (02) 4254 2670.