Sclerotherapy

• Do not cease medications prior to sclerotherapy treatment unless otherwise advised.
• Do not apply moisturiser on the day of treatment.
• Do not shave your legs immediately prior to your treatment.
• Wear slacks or loose trousers to the appointment and ensure you have a pair of comfortable walking shoes.
• Pre-medication is generally not necessary. If you have a low pain threshold, take 2 paracetamol tablets or 2 Ibuprofen tablets (with food).
• Vein treatment should be avoided if you intend to travel overseas within 3 weeks of your treatment.
• Patients who smoke should consider stopping before any treatment.
• Patients who are on the oral contraceptive pill or HRT will generally be instructed to stop this medication prior to treatment. However, if this is not possible, Dr Paraskevas may prescribe a clot preventer that will help minimise the slightly increased risks of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in patients who are taking these medications and who have sclerotherapy.

• Some people are anxious about needles, perhaps because they have had a bad experience in the past. Patients are reassured that the finest needles available are used for sclerotherapy treatment.
• Despite this, some patients will feel some slight scratches or pinpricks during the procedure.
• This can be followed by mild stinging in some areas. This usually settles down within seconds.
• Dr Paraskevas is extremely empathetic and will slow down the procedure if there is any ongoing discomfort. This will not alter the treatment outcome or long-term results. The patient’s comfort is of paramount importance.
• There are 2 types of liquid sclerosant available for use in Australia: STS and Polidocanol. We use Polidocanol for reticular veins and spider veins. We have observed less inflammation and more uniform results when using this sclerosant for sclerotherapy and it is the standard in most specialised phlebology practices in Australia.

• Class 2 compression stockings will be applied by our nurse.
• Our nurse will discuss all the important post-treatment instructions in great detail and provide you with an instruction sheet.
• You will be directed to go for an immediate 20–30-minute walk before you drive home.
• You will be given Dr Paraskevas’ after-hours number should you have any problems or concerns.
• The stockings should be worn overnight for the first night.
• After this, the stockings should be worn for a total of 7 to 10 days but only during the day. They can be removed for showering or when going to sleep at night.
• Walking for 30 minutes each day is mandatory.
• Avoid long and excessively warm showers for 2 weeks. Avoid baths for 2 weeks. This will help facilitate the healing process.
• Maintain normal daytime activities but avoid standing still for long periods of time. Continue with normal exercise activities.
• When sitting, elevate your legs.

Below is a list of things to expect and are considered a normal part of the healing process.

• Mild Discomfort. Patients may develop discomfort in the areas that have been treated. This may occur on the first day or may occur days or weeks later. It represents the hardening process occurring in the treated veins and the body’s mechanism of dealing with the dead vein. Discomfort is usually improved by walking or by taking Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Soreness behind the knee can result from rubbing by the stocking. Soreness in the heel of the foot or in the toes indicates that the stocking is way too tight around the foot or ankle region.
• Darkening of Spider Veins. Treated spider veins will appear as darkened threads. They do not blanch with pressure and are representative of successful sclerotherapy. They will gradually fade with time.
• Bruising. Bruising usually disappears within 2-3 weeks and is not a cause of concern.
• Tender lumps. These are common in the treated veins and persist for the first few months. The lumps represent hardened or sclerosed veins – the precise intention of sclerotherapy. They will gradually reduce in size and eventually disappear. Sometimes these lumps may contain trapped blood that has remained within the hardened vein during the treatment. Trapped blood can be gently drained by tiny pinpricks several weeks or months after the procedure.
• Pigmentation. Haemosiderin or Iron deposits from trapped blood can be deposited in the skin along the treated veins. This is more frequent with large surface veins but can occur with spider veins. Most disappear within 12 months but less than 5% can persist beyond 12 months. Persistent pigmentation may respond to laser treatment. Pigmentation may appear as light brown discolouration or as a dark shadow along the treated vein.
• Matting. This consists of networks of fine dilated capillaries near the injection sites. It appears shortly after treatment in approximately 10% of patients. Most resolve spontaneously. If there is persistent matting, there may be a vein that has not closed during the vein treatment. Meticulous ultrasound examination is extremely important from the beginning to avoid areas of persistent matting.
• Phlebitis. Inflammation of the treated veins can occur during the healing process. It will appear as redness and tenderness over the hardened veins. Phlebitis must be reported to Dr Paraskevas, but it is not serious and can be treated with oral Ibuprofen (Nurofen) and wearing the class 2 compression stockings.

Complications can occur even with the best possible technique and attention to detail.

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Clots are a recognized complication of many procedures but are rare with sclerotherapy if the protocol of compression and regular daily walking is followed. It is optional to stop hormone preparations (oral contraceptive or HRT) as they may increase the risk of DVT.
• Allergic reaction. This is rare but may present immediately as an anaphylactic reaction with generalised rash, constriction in the throat, or difficulty with breathing. This is immediately treated by injecting cortisone or adrenaline. The allergy may cause a skin rash after treatment requiring antihistamines. Allergy is slightly more common in asthmatics. Patients must stay in the building for 10 minutes after any form of treatment to ensure that no allergic reactions occur.
• Skin ulceration. Skin ulceration otherwise referred to as a treatment ulcer, is extremely uncommon. It occurs mainly because of an abnormal connection between small spider veins and arteries. In our experience, most injection ulcers are small and will heal without scarring, particularly if they are recognised early and dressed judiciously with a Duoderm dressing.
• Intra-arterial Injection. Intra-arterial injection is a rare complication occurring when an artery, rather than a vein, is inadvertently injected with sclerosant. This causes the artery to spasm and sclerose, resulting in severe tissue necrosis in the area the artery supplies. Limb amputation can occur as a result of this necrosis unless this complication is identified and treated promptly.