Sclerotherapy has been around for 100 years; the medication most specialists use (Sotradecol) was approved by the FDA in 1946; hundreds of millions of people worldwide continue to have sclerotherapy over many decades, most without any issues. Yes, I would say it is a safe procedure when performed by an expert.

Of course, any time a medication is injected into your bloodstream there is a possibility of an adverse reaction. Thankfully, such reactions are extremely rare. I have never lost a patient in twenty-five years as a vein expert, and have seen only a handful of minor reactions in that time.

Sclerotherapy is generally a very safe procedure - probably much safer than driving. However, like any medical procedure, your odds of success and level of safety are increased by the treating physician's expertise.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy, or injection therapy, is a minimally-invasive, vein therapy method for addressing spider and some larger veins. It is frequently done with the use of a vein-light or ultrasound-guidance. The vein is injected with a diluted “sclerosant” medicine. The lining of the vein is irritated causing it to swell and stick together. The blood clots and the vessel becomes a scar that fades from view over time. This type of clot is not dangerous and does not migrate into the larger veins of the body. This technology has been in use since the early 1900’s.

Contraindications for sclerotherapy include pregnancy, breast feeding or severe immobility. Veins that are potentially usable for future surgical bypass procedures (i.e. use of the saphenous vein, a large vein in the leg used for coronary artery bypass graft surgery) will generally not be considered for sclerotherapy spider vein treatment, unless they are already deemed unusable.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy is a safe procedure, but like any other procedure, it should be done by someone with experience performing it.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

I think sclerotherapy has one of the lowest complication rates of any medical procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy is used to seal off the smaller spider veins. Typically when the veins are less than 5 mm sclerotherapy is utilized. Contraindications with sclerotherapy may include allergic reactions to sulfa. Sometimes patients can get a little irritation around the vein that was injected.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes it's very safe as long as your provider has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform this procedure. Ask how many of these have you done. That's not an unreasonable question.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes it is safest and and most effective treatment we have to eliminate many types of abnormal veins. Sclerotherapy, like every medical treatment it can have side effects and complications. The side effect range from temporary bruising which is common to skin injury or skin ulcers that take a long time to heal.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy has been practiced since the Greek empires -you do not want to know what they injected into veins. Today Sclerotherapy is still the "gold standard " for treatment of spider veins and deeper reticular/ perforator veins. I do not recommend injections for bulging surface vein larger than 3mm as these are best removed through tiny punctures (microphlebectomy). Laser by an experienced practitioner is a great compliment to injection for some very fine surface veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012