Sclerotherapy

It is an inexpensive, easy procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis and has hardly any side effects. Find out what options are available to have varicose veins sclerosed.

The principle is simple: A sclerosing agent is injected into the varicose vein, which causes an inflammatory reaction on the vein walls. This causes the vein walls to stick together. This process becomes stable after 1-2 weeks, but is only fully completed after 3 months. The body breaks down these veins over a period of months – they disappear. Sclerotherapy is particularly suitable for spider veins, but is also suitable for reticular varicose veins.

In individual cases, even the large vein trunks (rose vein) and their side branches can be "injected" if the patient cannot be expected to undergo surgery or refuses it.

Varicose vein sclerotherapy: side effects

The side effects are minor: Apart from a very rare allergic reaction to the sclerosing agent, the skin in the area of the injected veins may become slightly discolored. Optimal compression is not always possible on the thigh, so that stagnant blood can remain in the injected vein sections. In these cases, it is sometimes necessary to squeeze this out in order to avoid unnecessary local discomfort and the risk of skin discoloration. In rare cases, it is also possible for "injected veins" to reopen years later and cause discomfort again. In this case, a second or third sclerotherapy can be performed without any problems.

How can varicose veins be sclerosed?

Foam sclerotherapy

Foam sclerotherapy is a completely new method that is much more efficient than all previous injection techniques. Instead of a liquid, a specially prepared foam is injected into the vein in order to obliterate it. The adhesive effect is much stronger than with all previous methods. Foam sclerotherapy does not require a stocking for follow-up treatment, is almost painless and is currently the best method of sclerotherapy.

Bio-sclerotherapy

Natural substances such as table salt and sugar solutions can be used for larger veins. Like other common sclerosing agents, these also lead to an inflammation of the vein wall and a clotting effect. We use bio-sclerotherapy to treat larger side branches.

High-tech sclerotherapy

An ultra-modern procedure makes it possible to obliterate larger, deeper veins without the risk of side effects. These are punctured under ultrasound guidance before either bio-sclerotherapy or the foam method is used. While larger veins previously had to be treated blindly, optimal control is now possible thanks to the use of modern ultrasound procedures. This procedure also allows varicose veins that lie deeper to be effectively and precisely sclerosed. The results are excellent.

The sclerotherapy of large varicose veins is covered by all health insurance companies if medically necessary. The treatment of small varicose veins must be paid for privately.