Foam form of the drug
For veins of medium and large caliber, sclerosant is used not in liquid form, but in the form of foam - the drug is mixed with air in a certain proportion. Foam displaces blood from the lumen and stays in contact with the vessel wall for longer, so it is effective where the liquid form is diluted with blood and does not work. The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance: the doctor sees how the foam fills the vein and where to stop. 2-3 sessions are required at intervals of several weeks.
How does sclerotherapy work?
The sclerosant causes controlled damage to the inner lining of the vein. The vessel collapses, sticks together and within a few weeks turns into a thin cord that dissolves and becomes invisible.
The method does not require incisions or anesthesia, is performed on an outpatient basis and allows you to return to normal life immediately. However, it is not universal: large trunks with pronounced reverse blood flow are not treated with sclerotherapy - laser obliteration is needed there.
An important condition for success
Spider veins and small veins are often just the tip of the problem. If there is an incompetent feeding trunk underneath them, sclerosis of the superficial veins will give a temporary result: in a few months they will appear again. Therefore, duplex scanning before treatment is mandatory, and when reflux is detected, its cause is first eliminated.
What to expect after the procedure
- veins darken and become more noticeable in the first 2-3 weeks - this is normal
- slight bruising and compaction along the vein are possible
- the final result is assessed after 4–8 weeks
- Full effect usually requires 2–4 sessions