Is it safe for me to go under general anesthesia if my veins are still not completely treated from foam sclerotherapy?
I had one foam sclerotherapy treatment on my varicose veins. The treated veins still didn't disappear. I need to have another surgery under general anesthesia (2-3 hours long). Is it safe for me to go under GA if my veins are still not completely? How many weeks after sclerotherapy I can have another surgery?
Answers from doctors (3)
Without knowing your medical history, or what other procedures you have planned - it should not be a problem to have general anesthesia after sclerotherapy. The only contraindication I could think of is if you're less mobile or bed bound (ex. hip replacement or back surgery). If that's the case, I would wait a couple of weeks after sclero, just to be very safe.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
You should get clearance and answers from your surgeon for your next procedure. Many like at least one week. I typically remove larger varicose veins (mircorphlebectomy) as they are gone in one treatment. Injecting takes longer to resolve and can lead to areas of trapped blood which need to be released and additional treatments.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Following sclerotherapy, not all veins will disappear and varicose veins may take multiple treatments to resolve. It is generally thought that the foam is out of your system within 24 hours and probably within 4 hours. It would be safe for you to have general anesthesia within 48 hours of your vein treatment. It would be prudent following the surgery to get up as soon as feasible and to wear support hose and compression pumps during the surgery.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
