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Sclerotherapy(varicose leg veins)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Injection sclerotherapy is indicated for small, disfiguring varicose veins below the knee. It is done as an outpatient procedure.

The affected veins are injected with a sclerosant such as 1-3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate. Compressive bandages are worn for 1-6 weeks to enable fibrosis to occur. Recurrences are treated by further injections.

Injection sclerotherapy is not advised:

  • for major varicosities, particularly in the thigh, because of the danger of causing thrombosis in femoral or popliteal deep veins
  • in patient's with acute infective thrombophlebitis or a pre-existing deep thrombus
  • in women who are pregnant or taking the combined oral contraceptive pill

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