SCLEROTHERAPHY

Sclerotherapy is a simple procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins that are invisible or difficult to see with the naked eye. It involves the injection of an irritant solution such as a salt solution directly into the vein. The solution irritates the vein, causing it to swell and making the walls sticky. The vein sticks together and closes up. The blood from this vein start to flow into normal veins and the closed vein is reabsorbed and eventually disappears.

Sclerotherapy can be performed at your local vein center in Jackson Heights in the early stages of vein disease to avoid the unsightliness of the condition. It is a relatively safe procedure, free of complications with most patients experiencing an immediate relief of symptoms. Furthermore it eliminated the need for the surgical removal of veins, a procedure that is associated with a longer recovery process.

There are different ways in which sclerotherapy can be performed based upon the how the solution is directed into the vein. Light-assisted sclerotherapy is performed with a small hand held light that illuminated the veins and tissues directly below the patient’s skin.

This procedure is ideal for veins that are just below the skins surface and are difficult to see. Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy as the name suggests is performed with the guidance of an ultrasound beam. It is useful for the management of leaking veins that are not visible to the naked eye or with transcutaneous illumination. Veins that leak underneath the skin can cause ulcers which are difficult to treat. This makes ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy a very useful procedure. Vein clinics in Jackson Heights employ skilled sonographers that are critical to the success of ultrasound-guided sonography.

During your initial consultation with your heart doctor in Jackson Heights, establish what type of sclerosant will be used during the procedure. Modern sclerosants such a polidocanol tend to be more comfortable upon injection as opposed to the more tradition ones. It is also important to note that while foam sclerosants are more effective than liquid sclerosants, their side effect profile and associated complications have not yet been well documented.