ULTRASOUND GUIDED FOAM SCLEROTHERAPY - THE SIMPLEST, LEAST INVASIVE, AND CHEAPEST METHOD FOR VARICOSE VEIN TREATMENT.

The aim is to present our experience and observations regarding varicose vein treatment by means of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). The study included 81 patients, 54 with insufficient main stem superficial veins in one limb and 27 with both limbs affected. Great saphenous vein insufficiency was diagnosed in 68, small saphenous insufficiency in 18, anterior accessory saphenous vein insufficiency in 11, and Giacomini vein insufficiency in 3 limbs. Seven limbs had combined insufficiency of great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein, and 1 limb had combined insufficiency of Giacomini vein and small saphenous vein. UGFS was employed to treat main stem vein reflux and their tributaries. Within a month after treatment, all main stem veins were occluded and only small corrections were performed occasionally to treat residual varices. Regarding side effects, skin darkening and hard lumps at the sites of varicose veins were most commonly observed. We also recorded several episodes of thrombophlebitis. Few patients experienced dry cough, visual disturbances and headache following the treatment. After six months, repeat UGFS of main stem veins had to be performed in few patients. Very few patients expressed dissatisfaction a year after treatment, mainly because of residual skin darkening. In conclusion, UGFS proved to be the simplest, quickest and cheapest method of varicose vein treatment. According to our experience, it yielded satisfactory functional and cosmetic results. Side effects do occur, but are acceptable, in particular at long term.