Single-blind, randomized study comparing chromated glycerin, polidocanol solution, and polidocanol foam for treatment of telangiectatic leg veins.
BACKGROUND
A single-blind, randomized, comparative study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of pure chromated glycerin (CG), polidocanol (POL) 0.25% solution, and POL 0.25% foam (Monfreux technique) for treatment of telangiectasias and reticular leg veins.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relative efficacy and safety of two sclerosing agents and foam.


METHODS
Of 150 randomized patients presenting comparable areas (lateral face of thigh) of telangiectasias and reticular leg veins, 147 could be evaluated by photographic assessment, patients' satisfaction score, and pain at injection sites. Internal and external agreement for the photographic assessment was good for two independent blinded experts.


RESULTS
CG cleared vessels significantly better than POL solution or foam (p<0.002). The patients' satisfaction score was also higher in the CG group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. CG was significantly more painful at injection sites. Other side effects were very few, precluding any statistical comparison. Foam was associated with more side effects (microthrombi, matting) than CG or POL solution. Three patients treated with POL foam experienced a transient visual disturbance.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that CG is superior to POL solution and foam for sclerotherapy of leg telangiectasias.
Kern
Philippe
P
phkern@bluewin.ch
Ramelet
Albert-Adrien
AA
Wutschert
Robert
R
Bounameaux
Henri
H
Hayoz
Daniel
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002857:Chromium; D004304:Dosage Forms; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D010781:Photography / Q000592:standards; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D004304:Dosage Forms; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D002857:Chromium; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005990:Glycerol