PRINCIPLE
The foam echo sclerotherapy is an ambulatory method of injecting a product as foam obtained by mixing the liquid sclerosant with air in the treated vein. This injection is done under ultrasound guidance thereby selectively treating incontinent veins. The goal is to get the occlusion of the vein and thus make it nonfunctional.
METHOD
Depending on the location of the vein to be treated, the patient is placed either on the back or on the belly. After ultrasound guidance for determining the diameter of the vein to be treated and therefore the concentration of sclerosant to be used; skin disinfection is carried out with modified alcohol opposite the puncture area. Sclerosing foam is then prepared and then will quickly be injected under ultrasound guidance in the vein to be treated. This procedure is quick, painless and allows to immediately resume normal activities. It is recommended to take several sessions that are spaced 3 weeks apart.
INDICATIONS
In theory virtually all varicose veins can be treated by this method however, there are still some limitations:
- Veins of diameter greater than 10mm
- Phobia bites
- Large caliber superficial veinsآ (unsatisfactory aesthetic result in a majority of cases)
The best indications of this method are:
- The treatment of small saphenous vein
- Treatment anarchic recurrence after stripping
- Treatment of perforating veins
The great sapheous vein may also be treated by this method, however, the treatment is relatively tedious because it requires a fairly large number of sessions. Furthermore it was noted many early recanalization of the vein occur; requiring repeated treatment. To treat the great saphenous vein or saphenous, the endovenousآ laserآ orradiofrequencyآ treatment are much more effective and recommended.
POST-OPERATIVE
The postoperative time is very simple in the sense that the patient leaves about 30 minutes after his arrival and immediately resumes his or her usual activity. Sometimes pain can occur around 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure, it is moderate to severe and may require a local anti-inflammatory treatment.
