What is Vein Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a fully FDA approved, minimally invasive vein treatment used to eliminate ugly spider and varicose veins in the legs. Abnormal veins are treated with a laser or injected with a concentrated solution using a very small needle resulting in only mild discomfort. All procedures causes unsightly veins to gradually shrink and fade away. Atlanta Vascular and Vein Clinics offers several treatment options for eligible patients to effectively get rid of spider and varicose veins permanently. Yes, you can have the lovely legs you’ve always wanted!

Types of Sclerotherapy

• Sclerosing Injections: Eligible patients are given multiple sclerosing injections (dilute sclerosant) that shrink and dissolve spider veins over a period of time by closing the “feeder veins”. Most patients require up to two treatment sessions separated by several weeks to significantly improve the appearance of leg veins and prevent recurrence on a treated area. A compression stocking or bandage must be worn up to two weeks after each treatment and patients are encouraged to walk daily to help speed up the healing process.
• Microfoam Sclerosing with Ultrasound Guidance: Patients with large spider and varicose veins (including the great and small saphenous veins) can greatly benefit from the microfoam sclerosing procedure. During the procedure, ultrasound is used to visualize underlying veins so a physician can deliver the injections using a pair of syringes or medical pumps – one with sclerosant, and the other with gas (carbon dioxide) thus creating a foam. This process increases the surface area of the drug and is ideal for longer and larger veins.
• Laser Scleratherapy: is a completely non-invasive procedure where pulses of light direct energy into leg veins causing the blood within to coagulate and change to a solid or semisolid state. The vein eventually breaks up and is reabsorbed back into the body where blood flow is then redirected to deeper veins below the skins surface. Although no compression stockings are needed after laser treatment, a slightly raised, red reaction in the treated area is normal and typically resolves in one to two days. Patients should protect treated areas from direct sunlight, extreme heat, and avoid high impact exercise. Atlanta Vascular and Vein Centers recommends one to two treatments for visible results in as soon as two to six weeks after treatment.

After the Procedure

Sclerotherapy is an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia (topical numbing) which allows patients to leave following treatment. Compression garments must be worn for one to three weeks (not applicable for laser procedures) and are designed for long term wear. After two weeks, a follow-up visit is required so that a physician can monitor the recovery process and check for complications. Complications, while rare, include allergic reactions to the sclerotherapy agent, hyperpigmentation and redness around the treatment area. If any of these symptoms are present prior to a follow up visit patients are encouraged to contact Atlanta Vascular and Vein Centers immediately.