Varicose veins Thread veins Foam sclerotherapy Sweating Hyperhidrosis Botox

Injection sclerotherapy is a well established technique, but the use of foam is a more recent development.

Unlike conventional surgery, or many other newer techniques, this procedure does not require a general anaesthetic or surgical incision. In most cases even a local anaesthetic is not needed.

Once your veins have been assessed you will be asked to lie on a couch. An ultrasound scanner may be used to identify your veins more accurately and to monitor the effect of the foam.

A small needle (finer than those used for blood tests) will be placed in the varicose veins and the liquid foam injected. Once the desired volume has been injected, the needle is removed and a small cotton pad gently placed over the skin. This process may have to be repeated at 2 or 3 sites in the leg especially if your veins are widespread or large. Some patients describe a tingling feeling in the leg as the foam displaces blood from the veins. A comfortable supporting bandage will be wrapped from ankle to thigh and will need to be worn for about 5 days.

Immediately after the procedure you wil be able to walk freely and drive home if you wish. You may return to work straightaway or prefer to take some time off.

For some weeks after the injection you may feel soreness over the course of the treated veins and you should expect some bruising.

Complications

These include bruising and soreness. A few patients have reported transient headache or spots in their field of vision, but this is uncommon when small volumes of foam are used. As with any medicine, allergic reactions are possible but extremely rare.

As the technique is relatively new, its long-term success cannot be guaranteed. However, it seems to be effective at least in the short term and has some theoretical advantages over conventional surgery.

Before foam

4 weeks after foam

Varicose veins Thread veins Foam sclerotherapy Sweating Hyperhidrosis Botox