title: Can foam sclerotherapy be used to safely treat bilateral varicose veins?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the use of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) to treat bilateral varicose veins either as synchronous or interval procedures. We specifically assessed total foam volume usage and its influence on early outcome and complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed our prospectively compiled computerised database of patients with bilateral varicose veins who have undergone UGFS. Duplex findings, foam volumes used and clinical outcome were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twelve patients had undergone UGFS for bilateral varicose veins. Sixty-one had bilateral UGFS (122 legs) and 51 had interval UGFS (102 legs). Seventy-eight percent bilateral and 60% interval procedures were for single trunk disease. Median foam volumes per treatment episode were: 17.5 mls bilateral, and 10 mls interval FS. At two weeks 81% of legs had complete occlusion after bilateral UGFS compared to 70% after interval UGFS. One patient in the bilateral UGFS developed transient visual disturbance. There was no systemic complications in the interval UGFS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilateral foam sclerotherapy treatment did not adversly affect vein occlusion rates and there was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups. Bilateral UGFS can be safely performed in selected patient presenting with bilateral varicose veins.
authors.affiliation: balsin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bhogal
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Moffat
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coney
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Nyamekye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions