Is Sclerotherapy Safe? | Side Effects and Complications of Sclerotherapy
FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO LEARN SCLEROTHERAPY www.veincare.a...
www.veincare.a...
www.veincare.a...
Sclerotherapy has been described as the “Swiss Army Knife” of vein treatments. What do I mean by this? Well nearly any vein can be treated by sclerotherapy. Any leg vein - varicose veins, spider veins, blue veins and veins which have come back after stripping, hand veins, veins on the chest, veins on the face. In fact, of all the methods for treating abnormal veins, laser, radiofrequency, medical glue - you name it anything that is called the GOLD STANDARD - sclerotherapy is without doubt the most versatile treatment option.
The evidence is that sclerotherapy is very safe. Many years ago a large French registry of over 12,000 procedures confirmed a very low rate of complications and side effects. This was confirmed by another study in the United Kingdom more recently. Sclerotherapy has an excellent safety record which compares favourably with other treatment options.
However, like all effective medical treatments sclerotherapy, does have side effects and complications which can be classified as either major or minor.
These are the major complications: anaphylaxis, venous thromboembolism, tissue necrosis (small scabs and small ulcers), nerve injury and swelling. The minor complications include matting which is a very annoying outcome - the formation of small new blood vessels after sclerotherapy which look like a bruise, pigmentation (sometimes called staining), and disappointment.
My team and I looked back at our records over a 15 year period involving over 5000 episodes of sclerotherapy. Over this period, we had no serious complications. We did have some minor complications: 3 people with persistent brown marks (more than 2-years) but all of these eventually resolved. We had 17 patients with matting, 39 patients with temporary visual disturbance, 28 patients with wheezing and cough, one patient with tingling and numbness of the face and hand and one patient was unable to drive home because of a headache. All of these minor complications were temporary and all resolved with the passage of time. Visual disturbance, headache and tingling are a form of migraine reaction.
So based on careful research of the medical literature and my own experience, I can confirm that Sclerotherapy is very safe. However all of us who treat patients with sclerotherapy are aware that patients might have allergic reactions and we must be prepared to deal with these. We are also aware of the contraindications by which I mean those people and those conditions for whom sclerotherapy should be avoided. We are also aware that people who suffer with migraines may have an attack of migraine triggered by sclerotherapy. That is why in general, I don't think it is appropriate for patients to drive themselves home after their first sclerotherapy session. My team and I are very careful to explain to patients what they can expect after sclerotherapy. In particular we tell them that sclerotherapy starts a healing process during which the veins may become lumpy and tender and that there may be discoloration over the successfully treated veins. For many years now, I have taken routine clinical photographs of our patients treatment areas before, during and after their treatment sessions. Clinical photography helps our patients see the improvement and leads to better satisfaction.
Successful Sclerotherapy relies on a team approach which ensures a good outcome while avoiding side effects and complications. Important among these are a Medicines Management policy to avoid medication errors and a policy of preparedness for any serious complications however rare they may be.
So in summary, yes sclerotherapy is safe provided the team that is administering sclerotherapy is skilled and experienced.
Пікірлер: 64
Great stuff doctor, thank you!! I love learning about all the new things we’re doing in this amazing time in medicine.
@VeinCareAcademy
10 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoy it!
@VeinCare Academy - !!! Many thank, doctor... That's exactly what is needed to us !!! ❤🌹🍾
@VeinCareAcademy
2 ай бұрын
You're most welcome!
I have a bulging vein under my eye. It's not a spider vein, it's an actually vein. It's visible and it bothers me. Would sclerotherapy be indicated? I have consulted two different doctors and they have given me diametrically opinions. One said that he could inject polydocanol and the other one said that screlotherapy under the eye causes blindness.
@VeinCareAcademy
5 ай бұрын
Blindness is a very rare complication of sclerotherapy near the eye. Some experts perform sclerotherapy and some prefer vein extraction - phlebectomy. See @drronandpeggybush kzread.info/dash/bejne/epWDttWOd8qccpc.htmlsi=RyHdC99UOOBBWBwq
I had this procedure done on both of my legs 5 weeks ago. My legs have red streaks on them and still very achy and sore. My doctor did not schedule a follow up appointment.
@VeinCareAcademy
4 ай бұрын
Contact your doctor and request one. It might have been an oversight
Hello, i was wondering.. why do so many people have increased problems after a evlt or any if these procedures? On the forums there is so many stories about peoples legs nerve damage.. or swelling or pain when sleeping that they never had before. Is this normal? Im a little worried about going through with it considering I dont have any discomfort. At least right now but i have reflux in both legs. Ive read nerve damage can take a year and if its not better then its permanent. Scary stuff. I can not be out of work a few days let alone weeks after surgery. I wear compression which works. I've read a lot of people experiencing extreme pain standing still for a couple seconds. So if your on your feet at work I'm not sure how that would work
@VeinCareAcademy
11 ай бұрын
My experience is that the majority of my patient having this procedure are very pleased with the results. Nerve injury and persistent pain are not a common complication. A potential bias is that forums may attract a unrepresentative group of dissatisfied patients. Your own doctor may be able to share the results of his operations with you.
@charleneburmeister9471
3 ай бұрын
It helped with my pain
In your experience do you prefer phelebectomy for larger veins. I see some places do not do phelebectomy but do scerlotherapy? I thought its not advisable for larger veins. I asked the place and they said thats not true. I worry about nerve damage from phelebectomy. But i also worry about clots from scerlotherapy
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
I am a vascular surgeon. In general, I perform phlebectomy for larger veins. Phlebologists have different backgrounds and training. Some phlebologist who have an interventional radiology backgroud and they might prefer sclerotherapy. Both methods of treatment are safe in experienced hands. Speak to your specialist for medical advice on your particular needs.
A local doctor uses bacteriostatic sodium chloride, but that isn’t a true sclerosing agent, right? It’s not comparable to Asclera, right?
@VeinCareAcademy
5 ай бұрын
If the sodium chloride solution is very strong, called HYPERTONIC SALINE, this solution IS a sclerosant. The term bacteriostatic sodium chloride usually refers to a concentration of sodium chloride that is close to that normally found in the blood stream, called NORMAL saline. This is not a sclerosant. You should ask the local doctor to explain what exactly is used. I would be interested to know... Thank you for an interesting question @UterineBlackmail
@UterineBlackmail
5 ай бұрын
@@VeinCareAcademy he got very defensive when I asked him, but I have photos of what he used. It was literally 0.9% bacteriostatic sodium chloride. That’s what it said on the bottle.
@VeinCareAcademy
5 ай бұрын
@UterineBlackmail Then you are correct. This solution is not a sclerosant
@UterineBlackmail
5 ай бұрын
@@VeinCareAcademy thank you so much. The hypertonic saline solution is usually for contact lenses. Isn’t there a risk injecting it? I am talking about possible infections etc. thanks
I have internal piles that Dr told to use sclerotherapy to piles there is any use by this.....? Any side effects by this....???
@VeinCareAcademy
17 күн бұрын
Speak to your Dr please.
Thank you for your information sir 🙏🙏 After 2 days of treatment I got some pain , may I know the reason please ..
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Discomfort, sometimes even pain, are part of the inflammatory healing process. If it persists, or if it is severe, seek advice from your healthcare professional
@kronikzblehtcgs3303
10 ай бұрын
Sometimes it’s part of you’re recovery, my specialist told me it was normal and told me to keep walking
What are the testimonials on loose skin associated with hemorrhoids? [not to be confused with the aftermath of surgery where a tag may be left]. Half my hemorrhoid problem is when you go to use bath tissue, the hemorrhoid affected area is so loose than the other side that it’s like tugging meat.
@VeinCareAcademy
11 ай бұрын
I am sorry, I do not know enough about that to comment.
if some ppl develope allergic reaction to the injected solution, why dont the drs do allergy test prior to the prosedure???
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Great question. There is no reliable allergy test which can predict a serious reaction.
Please fix the sound of the video, it’s very hard to hear
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Sorry to hear that you are having problems. Have you tried turning on the caption?
I am very interested in getting hand sclerotherapy. I live in a very large urbain area yet there is no physician performing it.
@VeinCareAcademy
3 ай бұрын
Which country?
@smcdonald9991
3 ай бұрын
@@VeinCareAcademy Canada.
@VeinCareAcademy
3 ай бұрын
My colleague Dr Pittman can help vein911.com/ @vein911
Sir can i ask ? Why me after scelotheraphy i see some air bubbles at the injected part of my skin
@VeinCareAcademy
3 ай бұрын
All i/v injections contain bubbles
Hi. Is it recommended if I had viral myocarditis?
@VeinCareAcademy
2 ай бұрын
I am not aware of any contra-indication relating to myocarditis, but check with your cardiologist and your vein specialist
Thank you for a very informative video is it safe if one suffers from Glaucoma
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
I am not aware of any reason why sclerotherapy cannot be applied to people who are being treated for glaucoma. Please check with your opthalmologist before receiving sclerotherapy.
Wilp this make me go blind if i suffer from maculer degeneration,?
@VeinCareAcademy
3 ай бұрын
I am not aware of macular degeneratio being a contraindication. But ask you opthalmologist.
Sir, I have vascular malformation in my left hand does it safe to take this therapy
@VeinCareAcademy
8 ай бұрын
I cannot advise you on your specific condition. I hope you understand, you would need to discuss this with your doctor, sorry.
@mariyadavydovych6804
3 ай бұрын
Hi, I have vascular malformations in my left hand also!! I thought no one on the Earth has this just me. I’m going to have sclerotherapy next month.
@sandhyachandrasekaran3679
14 күн бұрын
Hey! i have a vascular malformation in my right hand, and the doctors advised sclerotherapy as one option. If you dont mind could you tell me how much time it took for you to undergo the procedure? Any pain? Any complications? Is it worth it to undergo the procedure? @@mariyadavydovych6804
I just found your video, my question is what is the best procedure I should have for Venous Insufficiency (CVI)? I'm looking for all the information I can find on what can be the best treatment for CVI.
@VeinCareAcademy
7 ай бұрын
The best treatment is either endothermal ablation, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy or a combination of both
@VeinCareAcademy
7 ай бұрын
Read this for more information www.ejves.com/action/showPdf?pii=S1078-5884%2821%2900979-5
Are any spider veins in ankle or foot always considered Corona? Phelbectaia
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
No. Corona Phlebectatica is a condition characterised by spider veins and blue veins below the boney prominences of the ankle and which extend in to the foot. There must be skin changes called stasis spots. If you have GSV reflux, it is very likely that you have C4 disease. CP is a predictor of progression to an ulcer C5. Please discuss this with your own doctor.
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope you understand that I cannot advise you about your specific medical condition. It is clear that you have several difficult factors to consider.
I had this done by my doctor and ended up with 4 leg ulcers which they had serious trouble healing! Never have this done!!!
@VeinCareAcademy
4 ай бұрын
So sorry to hear that. Have you asked your doctor why this happened? I am curious because this is such a rare complication.
Good 👍 morning sir excellent 👌 advice from lndia 🇮🇳
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the feedback!
A surgeon wants to do surgery A baker wants to do bakery Don't do any surgery unless you have to.
@toma.6942
Жыл бұрын
True. But at what constitutes have to? Where do u draw or Cross that line?
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the feedback!
so desparate for this but nhs dont fund it
@VeinCareAcademy
9 ай бұрын
So sorry to hear that. The NHS is under-funded, under-staffed and is not coping well.
👍
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the feedback!
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝
@VeinCareAcademy
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the feedback!