title: Efficacy and safety of endovenous foam sclerotherapy: meta-analysis for treatment of venous disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endovenous foam sclerotherapy (EFS) is used widely throughout the USA for the treatment of venous disorders. The purpose of the quantitative meta-analysis was to systematically and comprehensively evaluate the literature to provide accurate estimates of safety and efficacy outcomes for this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive electronic search of published literature in several databases was performed using a wide variety of MESH headings. In addition, meeting abstracts and bibliographies of selected references were reviewed for eligible papers. Two reviewers abstracted selected treatment-related data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 684 identified manuscripts and abstracts reviewed, 104 papers were abstracted and analysed. More than 50% were published between 2004 and 2008. EFS was found to be effective with similar vein occlusion rates to laser therapy, but less effective than surgery. In addition, major adverse effects were rare.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EFS is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of venous disorders.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. suman-rathbun@ouhsc.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rathbun
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stoner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005990:Glycerol; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate