What is Sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment in which a chemical sclerosant solution is injected directly into a diseased vein, venous malformation, or lymphatic malformation through a fine needle. The sclerosant damages and irritates the vessel lining, causing it to collapse and be gradually reabsorbed by the body over weeks to months. It is a highly effective, outpatient treatment for spider veins, reticular veins, small varicose veins, venous malformations, and lymphatic malformations with no incisions, no stitches, and no general anaesthesia. Both liquid and foam forms of sclerosant are used depending on the vessel type.
Who is this procedure for?
Sclerotherapy is suitable for patients with cosmetically troublesome spider veins or reticular veins on the legs, residual varicosities after endovenous laser ablation, venous malformations causing pain, swelling, or disfigurement, and lymphatic malformations in the neck, axilla, or limb. It is also used as a component of treatment for varicocele and haemorrhoidal disease through a percutaneous approach. Patients of all ages who have superficial vascular lesions are potential candidates.
How is the procedure performed?
- The area to be treated is examined clinically and, for larger or deeper vessels or malformations, assessed with duplex ultrasound.
- The patient is positioned comfortably and the skin is cleaned with antiseptic.
- A very fine needle is inserted into the target vessel under direct vision (for small spider veins) or ultrasound guidance (for deeper veins and malformations).
- Liquid or foam sclerosant is slowly and precisely injected; foam sclerotherapy displaces blood and maintains longer contact with the vessel wall, making it more effective for larger veins.
- The needle is withdrawn and gentle compression is applied immediately to the treated area.
- Compression stockings or bandages are worn for 1–2 weeks after treatment to maximise vessel closure and minimise bruising.
