Open AccessSystematic review of foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins
Author(s) -
Jia X.,
Mowatt G.,
Burr J. M.,
Cassar K.,
Cook J.,
Fraser C.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
british journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.202
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1365-2168
pISSN - 0007-1323
DOI - 10.1002/bjs.5891
Subject(s) - medicine , sclerotherapy , varicose veins , superficial thrombophlebitis , thrombophlebitis , surgery , relative risk , adverse effect , occlusion , confidence interval , pulmonary embolism , deep vein , thrombosis
Background and method: Foam sclerotherapy is a potential treatment for varicose veins. A systematic review was undertaken to assess its safety and efficacy. Results: Sixty‐nine studies were included. The median rates of serious adverse events, including pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, were less than 1 per cent. The median rate of visual disturbance was 1·4 per cent, headache 4·2 per cent, thrombophlebitis 4·7 per cent, matting/skin staining/pigmentation 17·8 per cent and pain at the site of injection 25·6 per cent. The median rate of complete occlusion of treated veins was 87·0 per cent and for recurrence or development of new veins it was 8·1 per cent. Meta‐analysis for complete occlusion suggests that foam sclerotherapy is less effective than surgery (relative risk (RR) 0·86 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0·67 to 1·10)) but more effective than liquid sclerotherapy (RR 1·39 (95 per cent c.i. 0·91 to 2·11)), although there was substantial heterogeneity between studies. Conclusion: Serious adverse events associated with foam sclerotherapy are rare. There is insufficient evidence to allow a meaningful comparison of the effectiveness of this treatment with that of other minimally invasive therapies or surgery. Copyright © 2007 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.