Sclerotherapy: step by step – liquid sclerotherapy

Classic sclerotherapy using drugs in the native (liquid) state is almost the oldest method of minimally invasive treatment of various forms of varicose veins of lower extremities and not only. Despite more than 300 years of development of the sclerotherapy methodology, enormous international experience and almost thorough study of its mechanisms, the development of new sclerosing drugs and technologies of their delivery to the lumen of the target vein continues. Measures aimed at reducing the frequency of undesirable side effects after sclerotherapy and improving the quality of life of patients during treatment and after its completion are discussed separately. Currently, there are several guidelines that regulate phlebosclerosing treatment in various clinical situations in terms of evidence-based medicine. This publication provides a brief historical background on the formation of sclerotherapy technology, presents basic principles for liquid sclerotherapy based on the analysis of international and Russian recommendations for the treatment of chronic venous diseases. Indications, contraindications and the basic methods of carrying out sclerotherapy with the use of officinal, registered in the Russian Federation phlebosclerosing detergent agents are presented, their actual physical and chemical properties, similarities and distinctions, and also optimal concentrations and doses are discussed. The classic sclerotherapy technique which has become known as “empty vein technique” is described in detail and illustrated. In addition, current clinical examples demonstrating successful use of compression sclerotherapy are presented. Again, the authors conclude that liquid sclerotherapy with the use of modern phlebosclerosing agents such as lauromacrogol 400 and sodium tetradecyl sulfate, performed according to the classical “empty vein” technology, demonstrates high efficiency and safety regarding large varicose veins of various localizations.