Treatment of varicose and telangiectatic leg veins: double-blind prospective comparative trial between aethoxyskerol and sotradecol.
BACKGROUND
One hundred twenty-nine patients were treated with either polidocanol (POL) or sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) to compare the efficacy and adverse sequelae of each agent.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety and efficacy of two sclerosing solutions.


METHODS
Each patient's leg veins that did not have incompetence from the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) were divided into three categories by size (<1 mm, 1-3 mm, 3-6 mm). Each leg was randomly treated with either 0.25%, 0.5%, or 1.5% of STS or 0.5%, 1.0%, or 3% of POL respective of size. An independent, three-panel, blindly randomized photographic examination was obtained pretreatment and at 4 and 16 weeks. Patient satisfaction index and overall clinical improvement assessment were also obtained.


RESULTS
All patients had an average of 70% improvement and were 70-72% satisfied in all vein categories treated with either solution. There was no significant difference in adverse effects between each group except for a decrease in ulcerations and swelling in the POL group.


CONCLUSIONS
Both STS and POL are safe and effective sclerosing solutions for varicose and telangiectatic leg veins.
Goldman
Mitchel P
MP
Department of Dermatology/Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA. MGDERM@aol.com
D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate