The use of foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins: a survey of the members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to explore the current experience and practice of vascular surgeons in the United Kingdom and Ireland regarding foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire was sent to 609 members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland.


RESULTS
There were 281 responses (47%). Seventy surgeons (25%) used foam sclerotherapy. Most use it selectively; few (29%) offer it to all patients. It was more likely to be used for recurrent varices (71%), in older patients (61%) and for smaller non-saphenous varices (67%). The majority of surgeons (69%) used sodium tetradecyl sulphate and up to a maximum of 10-12 ml of foam. The majority used ultrasound guidance (95%), leg elevation (69%) and direct pressure over the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction during injection (63%). Eighty per cent used compression bandaging after treatment, usually for 7 days (44%). Ninety percent advised compression stockings, usually Class II (64%) for 14 days (39%). Serious complications were few, but eleven surgeons had seen a deep vein thrombosis, two had seen a patient with a stroke and one a transient ischaemic attack.


CONCLUSIONS
Foam sclerotherapy was used by a quarter of surgeons who replied to the survey. Aspects of technique varied considerably and studies to determine optimal techniques are needed. Serious complications with the technique were rare.
O'Hare
J L
JL
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, UK.
Earnshaw
J J
JJ
D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053828:Stockings, Compression / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate