Varicose veins (sclerotherapy) - injecting

Injecting varicose veins (sclerotherapy)

Introduction
You will soon be treated in Bronovo Hospital for varicose veins (varices). This leaflet provides you with information on the procedure of this operation.

What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are stretched and prolapsed subcutaneous veins in the legs. They are caused by weakening of the wall of the vein or by too much pressure in the veins, which happens when the valves of the vein work insufficiently.

The causes of varicose veins and the accompanying symptoms may differ per person. Your surgeon will adjust the medical treatment to your specific situation. In your case, sealing the vein by means of injections (sclerotherapy) is the obvious treatment. This leaflet provides information on this subject.

Sealing the vein by means of injections
This treatment is usually performed in the Outpatients’ Clinic.

• your varicose veins will be marked while you are standing.
• you will be asked to lie down or to sit down.
• your varicose veins will be injected with a fluid which will cause a harmless inflammatory reaction of the vein.
• finally an elastic bandage will be wrapped around your leg.

Because of the inflammation and the pressure of the bandage the vein will be pushed closed and as a result will seal up. This way the vein will close up and will no longer be visible and so the blood is "diverted" and will flow through healthy veins. The bandages have to stay on for 1 to 7 days, depending on the size of the varicose veins.

The final effect of the treatment can only be determined after about 6 weeks. A side effect of the injection may be a slight brown discolouration of the skin surrounding the location of the varicose veins. Sometimes it is necessary to repeat the treatment several times. Varicose veins can be persistent and they may return. If this happens, an operation can be considered.

After the treatment
You can go home on your own. However, it is not advisable to drive a car. As a rule, you can resume work the same day. Walking is good. You are allowed to walk immediately after the treatment.

Possible complications
Very occasionally the injection causes an allergic reaction. It may also happen that the injection fluid ends up next to the blood vessel. This may cause a small wound at the site of the injection. In both cases you must to contact the doctor who treated you.

Please warn your doctor in advance if you are hypersensitive to adhesive plasters, iodine or certain medicines.If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Surgery Outpatients’ Clinic, tel.: 070 - 312 43 59 (on working days from 09.00 to 11.30 hours and from 14.00 to 15.30 hours).  

Edition: April 2010/57