Combined microfoam sclerotherapy and miniphlebectomy as an optimal method of treating varicose vein tributaries after endovenous laser ablation

Introduction. The development of phlebology and mainstreaming of ultrasonic techniques has led to the emergence of microfoam sclerotherapy, which proved itself as a more effective technique. In the world literature, there are isolated publications that say about the effectiveness and safety of the microfoam sclerotherapy combined with mini-phlebectomy, but no specific studies comparing the combination treatment for the elimination of varicose syndrome with separate use of each of the techniques are described.

Aim. To increase the effectiveness of invasive treatment and to reduce the rate of complications in patients with varicose veins using a combination of microfoam sclerotherapy and mini-phlebectomy of tributaries after endovenous laser ablation.

Material and methods. Simple single- center, non-randomized, retrospective study was conducted at the A.K. Eramishantsev Moscow State Hospital. It included 52 patients with varicose veins (a total of 77  lower  limbs, 22 patients had bilateral disease), who had no previous invasive treatment for this disease. They underwent endovenous laser ablation of truncal vein combined with microfoam sclerotherapy and mini-phlebectomy of tributaries. Microfoam sclerotherapy was performed with 0.5–2.0% of polidocanol foam, and mini-phlebectomy per Varady technique. The patients had a postprocedural follow-up clinical examination and duplex ultrasound the day after the intervention, then at 1, 6, and 12 months.

Results. Endovenous laser ablation of truncal veins was acutely successful in all cases. No cases of great saphenous vein recanalization were detected in follow-up period. In the early postprocedural period, the combined microfoam sclerotherapy and miniphlebectomy also showed 100% success rate, however redo sclerotherapy was required in 4 (5.2%) cases for new varicose tributaries developed in late postprocedural period.

Conclusion. Combined microfoam sclerotherapy and mini-phlebectomy, as a method of treatment for various veins syndrome, can provide additional benefit such as reducing the volume of mini-phlebectomy and the resultant tissue damage, the varicosity recurrence rate, the number of subcutaneous hematomas and ecchymoses, the discomfort of the tumescent anesthesia, the risk of postprocedural varicose veins thrombosis and pigmentation rate.

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