Fluoroscopy-guided endovenous foam sclerotherapy using a microcatheter in varicose tributaries followed by endovenous laser treatment of incompetent saphenous veins: technical feasibility and early results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the technical feasibility and preliminary results of endovenous foam sclerotherapy using a microcatheter in varicose tributaries followed by endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) of incompetent saphenous veins.


METHODS
From July 2005 to August 2006, 312 patients (M:F=139:173, mean age 45.8) who presented with varicose veins with reflux in the saphenofemoral, saphenopopliteal junction or tributaries were enrolled. Under ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance, selective microcatheterization and endovenous foam slcerotherapy were first performed in varicose tributaries, followed by EVLT (980 nm) of incompetent saphenous veins. Follow-up at 1-week and 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals was done.


RESULTS
Technical success was seen in 410 of 411 limbs (99%). Continued closure of the saphenous veins and the complete sclerosis of varicose tributaries were noted in 332 of 373 limbs (89%) at the 1-month follow-up, all 307 limbs (100%) at the 3-month follow-up, and all 274 limbs (100%) at the 6-month follow-up. No serious complication was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovenous foam sclerotherapy using a microcatheter in varicose tributaries followed by EVLT in incompetent saphenous veins is a safe, effective, and technically feasible treatment for varicose veins. It not only reduces additional sclerotherapy and technical failure, but also makes multiple therapeutic sessions unnecessary.
Park
Sang Woo
SW
Department of Radiology, Kunkuk University Hosptial, Seoul, Korea.
Yun
Ik Jin
IJ
Hwang
Jae Joon
JJ
Lee
Song Am
SA
Kim
Jun Seok
JS
Chang
Seong-Hwan
SH
Chee
Hyun Keun
HK
Kim
Ho Chul
HC
Sun
Kyung
K
Park
Sang Joon
SJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017546:Angioscopy / Q000379:methods; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D010690:Phlebography; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols