Rapid healing of chronic venous ulcers following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the short term response of venous ulcers in patients treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) at a two-week clinic in Honduras.


METHODS
Nine females (ages 25-86; mean 48.1 years) with 13 venous ulcers and saphenofemoral junction reflux were treated with UGFS (polidocanol 3% foam; 1-4 injections; 2-11 cc; Mean Volume 5.4 cc). The dimensions of each ulcer and of the great saphenous vein (GSV) were measured before treatment and one week later.


RESULTS
At one week follow-up 2 ulcers healed, 2 GSVs closed, and there was significant improvement in ulcer dimensions (p = 0.00) and size of GSV (p = 0.00).


CONCLUSIONS
Venous ulcers in patients with serve venous insufficiency responded quickly to UGFS. Long-term follow-up will be important to determine the sustainability of these results.
Hertzman
P A
PA
Los Alamos Medical Center, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544, USA. Phertz1@aol.com
Owens
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing