title: A double-blind, randomized study comparing pure chromated glycerin with chromated glycerin with 1% lidocaine and epinephrine for sclerotherapy of telangiectasias and reticular veins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromated glycerin (CG) is an effective, although painful, sclerosing agent for telangiectasias and reticular leg veins treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine pain level and relative efficacy of pure or one-third lidocaine-epinephrine 1% mixed chromated glycerin in a prospective randomized double-blind trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients presenting with telangiectasias and reticular leg veins on the lateral aspect of the thigh (C(1A) or (S) E(P) A(S) P(N1) ) were randomized to receive pure CG or CG mixed with one-third lidocaine-epinephrine 1% (CGX) treatment. Lower limb photographs were taken before and after treatment and analyzed by blinded expert reviewers for efficacy assessment (visual vein disappearance). Patients' pain and satisfaction were assessed using visual analogue scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 102 of 110 randomized patients could be evaluated. Patient pain scores were significantly higher when pure CG was used than with CGX (p<.001). Patient satisfaction with treatment outcome was similar in the two groups. Objective visual assessment of vessel disappearance revealed no significant difference between the two agents (p=.07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addition of lidocaine-epinephrine 1% to CG, in a ratio of one-third, significantly reduces sclerotherapy pain without affecting efficacy when treating telangiectasias and reticular leg veins.
authors: Service of Angiology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. phkern@bluewin.ch
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Kern
authors: Albert-Adrien
authors: AA
authors: Ramelet
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Wutschert
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Mazzolai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000628:therapy*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008012:Lidocaine; D005990:Glycerol; D004837:Epinephrine