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Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy is a safe and highly effective procedure that eliminates
diseased veins that have traditionally required surgical removal.
Sclerotherapy was thought to be effective with spider veins and small varicose veins that
remain after surgery. Neither surgery nor sclerotherapy can prevent new varicose veins from
developing as a result of the natural progression of this chronic condition. However, UGS
offers a less traumatic, less costly alternative to gain and maintain control. Your specialist
has undergone specialized training required in order to treat the saphenous axis by sclerotherapy.
Duplex ultrasound is the key to the success of this procedure. First, it locates the diseased
"saphenous" vein(s) hidden from view that cause the bulging on the surface. Next, DUS guides
both the placement of and the number of injections required according to each individual patient.
Follow-up DUS examinations will confirm success, and guide additional treatment if necessary.
The success of both surgery and sclerotherapy depend on accurate control of all reflux (backward flow)
points. With recent advances, both methods now share a similarly high success rate when performed by
experienced practitioners who were able to accurately target veins using DUS.
Unfortunately, varicose vein disease is not curable. Like many other chronic medical conditions
such as diabetes or hypertension, it requires ongoing care and surveillance after the initial
course of treatment gains control. Treatment in the earlier stages helps avert unpleasant
complications (leg ulcers, dermatitis, phlebitis, blood clots), and relieve bothersome symptoms.
Work with your specialist to determine what the best course of treatment is right for you.
