Duplex ultrasound outcomes following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy of symptomatic primary great saphenous varicose veins

Abstract

Objectives: To describe duplex ultrasound (DUS) outcomes 12 months following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) of primary great saphenous varicose veins (GSVV).

Methods: A consecutive series of UK National Health Service patients underwent serial DUS examinations following UGFS with 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate for symptomatic primary GSVV.

Results: 344 treated legs (CEAP C(2/3) 237, C(4) 72, C(5) 14, C(6) 21) belonging to 278 patients (103 male) of median age 57 (range 21-89) years were enrolled between November 2004 and May 2007. The median volume of foam used was 10 (range 2-16) ml. Above-knee (AK) and below-knee (BK) GSV reflux was present in 333 (96.8%) and 308 (89.5%) legs respectively prior to treatment. AK and BK-GSV reflux was completely eradicated by a single session of UGFS in 323 (97.0%) and 294 (95.5%) legs respectively; and by two sessions of UGFS in 329 (98.8%) and 304 (98.7%) legs respectively. In those legs where GSV reflux had been eradicated, recanalisation occurred in 18/286 (6.3%) AK and 23/259 (8.9%) BK-GSV segments after 12 months follow-up.

Conclusions: A single session of UGFS can eradicate reflux in the AK and BK-GSV in over 95% of patients with symptomatic primary GSVV. Recanalisation at 12 months is superior to that reported after surgery and similar to that observed following other minimally invasive techniques.