Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
BOOKS
Pelletier, Kenneth R., M.D. The Best Alternative Medicine, Part II, "CAM Therapies for Specific Conditions: Varicose Veins." New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002.
"Varicose Veins." Section...
16, Chapter 212 in The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, edited by Mark H. Beers, M.D., and Robert Berkow, M.D. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999.
PERIODICALS
Brunnberg, S., S. Lorenz, M. Landthaler, and U. Hohenleutner. "Evaluation of the Long Pulsed High Fluence Alexandrite Laser Therapy of Leg Telangiectasia."Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 31 (2002): 359-362.
Crowe, Mark A., M.D. "Nevus Araneus (Spider Nevus)."eMedicine, April 12, 2002 [April 11, 2003].
Feied, Craig, M.D., Robert Weiss, M.D., and Robert B. Hashemiyoon, M.D. "Varicose Veins and Spider Veins."eMedicine, November 20, 2001 [April 10, 2003].
Frullini, A., and A. Cavezzi. "Sclerosing Foam in the Treatment of Varicose Veins and Telangiectases: History and Analysis of Safety and Complications."Dermatologic Surgery 28 (January 2002): 11-15.
Goldman, M. P. "Treatment of Varicose and Telangiectatic Leg Veins: Double-Blind Prospective Comparative Trial Between Aethoxyskerol and Sotradecol."Dermatologic Surgery 28 (January 2002): 52-55.
Kern, P. "Sclerotherapy of Varicose Leg Veins. Technique, Indications, and Complications."International Angiology 21 (June 2002): 40-45.
Loo, W. J., and S. W. Lanigan. "Recent Advances in Laser Therapy for the Treatment of Cutaneous Vascular Disorders."Lasers in Medical Science 17 (2002): 9-12.
MacKay, D. "Hemorrhoids and Varicose Veins: A Review of Treatment Options."Alternative Medicine Review 6 (April 2001): 126-140.
Pittler, M. H., and E. Ernst. "Horse-Chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency. A Criteria-Based Systematic Review."Archives of Dermatology 134 (November 1998): 1356-1360.
Raulin, C., B. Greve, and H. Grema. "IPL Technology: A Review."Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 32 (2003): 78-87.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Dermatology. 930 East Woodfield Rd., PO Box 4014, Schaumburg, IL 60168. (847) 330-0230.
American Association for Vascular Surgery (AAVS). 900 Cummings Center, #221-U, Beverly, MA 01915.
American College of Phlebology. 100 Webster Street, Suite 101, Oakland, CA 94607-3724. (510) 834-6500.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). 444 East Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. (847) 228-9900.
Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society (PVSS). 824 Munras Avenue, Suite C, Monterey, CA 93940. (831) 373-0508.
OTHER
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Procedures: Sclerotherapy. [cited April 10, 2003].
Feied, Craig, M.D. Venous Anatomy and Physiology. [cited April 10, 2003]
Fronek, Helane S., M.D. Conservative Therapy for Venous Disease. [cited April 10, 2003]
Goldman, M. P., M.D. Complications of Sclerotherapy. [cited April 10, 2003]
Marley, Wayne, M.D. Physical Examination of the PhlebologyPatient. [cited April 10, 2003]
Sadick, Neil S., M.D. Technique for Treating Telangiectasias and Reticular Veins. [cited April 10, 2003]
Weiss, Robert A., M.D., and Mitchel P. Goldman, M.D. Treatment of Leg Telangiectasias with Lasers and High-Intensity Pulsed Light. [cited April 10, 2003]
Advertisement
Varicose veins are the tortuous veins that are visible just under the surface of the skin. While the condition is not generally medically important, varicose veins are not desirable cosmetically. The narrated animation describes how varicose veins are thought to form.
During sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins, the doctor injects a chemical solution directly into the vein (A and B). The needle travels up the vein, and as it is pulled back, the chemical is released, causing the vein to form fibrous tissue that collapses the inside of it (C). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
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Other Information
A commonly performed non-surgical treatment for varicose and "spider" leg veins is sclerotherapy. It has been used in the treatment of varicose veins for over 150 years. Sclerotherapy is often used for telangiectasias (spider veins) and varicose veins that persist or recur after vein stripping. Sclerotherapy can also be performed using microfoam sclerosants under ultrasound guidance to treat larger varicose veins, including the greater and short saphenous veins. A study by Kanter and Thibault in 1996 reported a 76% success rate at 24 months in treating saphenofemoral junction and great saphenous vein incompetence with STS 3% solution. A Cochrane Collaboration review concluded sclerotherapy was better than surgery in the short term (1 year) for its treatment success, complication rate and cost, but surgery was better after 5 years, although the research is weak. A Health Technology Assessment found that sclerotherapy provided less benefit than surgery, but is likely to provide a small benefit in varicose veins without reflux. Complications of sclerotherapy are rare but can include blood clots and ulceration. Anaphylactic reactions are "extraordinarily rare but can be life-threatening," and doctors should have resuscitation equipment ready. There has been one reported case of stroke after ultrasound guided sclerotherapy when an unusually large dose of sclerosant foam was injected.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varicose_veins#Sclerotherapy
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