Results from RCTs in Sclerotherapy: European Guidelines for Sclerotherapy in Chronic Venous Disorders*
OBJECTIVE
Sclerotherapy is the targeted chemical ablation of varicose veins by intravenous injection of a liquid or foamed sclerosing drug. The treated veins may be intradermal, subcutaneous, and/or transfascial as well as superficial and deep in venous malformations. The aim of this guideline is to give evidence-based recommendations for liquid and foam sclerotherapy.


METHODS
This guideline was drafted on behalf of 23 European Phlebological Societies during a Guideline Conference on 7th-10th May 2012 in Mainz. The conference was organized by the German Society of Phlebology.


RESULTS
This guideline focuses on the two sclerosing drugs which are licensed in the majority of the European countries, Polidocanol (POL) and Sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS). Other sclerosants are not discussed in detail. In this paper the results from recent RCTs in sclerotherapy are reviewed.
Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Cologne & Private Practice Dermatology and Phlebology Bonn, Germany info@dr-pannier.de.
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Pannier
Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
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Rabe
Chronic venous disease; foam sclerotherapy; sclerotherapy; varicose veins