A microbiologic study of diluted sclerotherapy solutions.
BACKGROUND
As sclerotherapy has become more of an exact science it has become appropriate to dilute various sclerosing solutions to produce the least concentration of sclerosant producing effective endosclerosis of a given vessel diameter--the minimal sclerosant concentration.


OBJECTIVE
In this setting it has become necessary to take into account various microbiologic considerations. Contamination of infusates is the most common cause of epidemic device-related bloodstream infections. With these considerations in mind, the following study was undertaken to determine the bacterial and fungal content of varied concentrations of four commonly employed sclerotherapy agents.


METHODS
Dilutions were made of hypertonic saline 23.4% to 11.7% with both bacteriostatic water and 0.9% normal saline, Polidocanol 0.5% to 0.25% with bacteriostatic water, sodium tetradecyl sulfate 1.0% to 0.5% with bacteriostatic water, and polyiodide iodide 2% to 1% with bacteriostatic water under sterile conditions. Each sclerosant was analyzed for bacterial, fungal, and spore content at determined time intervals with standardized utilization indices for up to 3 months.


RESULTS
At each sclerosant concentration for sodium chloride, polidocanol, sodium tetradechol sulfate, and polyiodide iodide at each study design time interval for sampling all bacterial and fungal cultures remained sterile.


CONCLUSIONS
With appropriate aseptic techniques we may dilute sclerosing solutions to desired concentrations that will remain sterile for a period of at least 3 months under daily usage conditions.
Division of Dermatology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York.
N S
NS
Sadick
B
B
Farber
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007454:Iodides; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate
D007454:Iodides; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate