Microsclerotherapy
The Microsclerotherapy is the technique used to treat spider veins or thread veins of the legs. It is a relatively straightforward procedure which involves injecting a liquid into the veins which destroys them and causes them to disappear over time.
Sclerotherapy is a form of treatment where a doctor injects medicine into blood vessels or lymph vessels that causes them to shrink. It is commonly used to treat varicose veins or so-called spider veins. The procedure is non-surgical, requiring only an injection
In clinical practice, the most commonly used sclerosants appear to be hypertonic saline, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, polidocanol, and glycerine / lidocaine / epinephrine.
In general most patients tolerate the microsclerotherapy procedure well and do not need any anesthetic agent. The post-procedure pain is usually localized to the area where the vein was injected. This pain is not nearly as intense as the pain following the EVTA but will be noticeable for longer.
In most cases the veins disappear within three to six months, but can be
permanent about five percent of the time and increasing with a constant
treatment. Bruising may occur around the injection site and can last several
days or weeks. In general, spider veins respond to sclerotherapy in three to six
weeks, and larger veins respond in three to four months.
How many microsclerotherapy treatments are required? It varies from individual
to individual but typically 2-4 treatments are required for the best results. In
patients with a few veins, 1-2 sessions will suffice. More treatments are
required where veins are more numerous and extensive.
Generally, you need to wait about six weeks before undergoing another
sclerotherapy session. Studies of sclerotherapy as a treatment for varicose and
spider veins indicate that it has an overall success rate of about 60 to 80
percent in eliminating treated veins.
You must wear compression stockings for the first 24 hours after the procedure.
After that time, you should continue to wear them for the next 14 days at all
times, except when sleeping.
