1. Introduction
Varicose veins diagnosis is improving in Africa [1]. Multiple treatments are possible. Among possible interventions, minimally invasive treatment such as foam sclerotherapy is now routinely used.
Chemical sclerotherapy has been performed for over 70 years [2]. Beside surgical care sclerotherapy is now an option in treatment of varicose veins of the lower limbs in our center.
The objective of this study was to assess indications and the early results of foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins in Senegal.
2. Patients and Methods
This is a prospective and descriptive study conducted from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2015 at cardiovascular center of Fann University hospital in Dakar, Senegal.
All patients with varicose veins who underwent sclerotherapy are included in the study.
The study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Foam sclerotherapy was done in 76 patients.
Polidocanol was used in concentration of 2%. For mixture preparation, room air was used as the gas and rapid, manual displacement of the mixture between two syringes joined by a stopcock. These “home made” foams usually employ ratios of gas to liquid 1:3.
Sclerotherapy was done several times in patients, once a week, as much as needed to occlude varicose veins (Table 1), within one month. We used venous compression in all patients.
Patients in this study were diagnosed clinically for varicose veins of the lower limbs (vein dilatation, edema, ulcer), then with Doppler ultrasound for mapping.
Patients had tight leg, varicose veins, edema or ulcer, and superficial or deep reflux.
Patients with leg venous ulcer were 30%.
After closure of sessions, patients’ characteristics were collected in Excel form and statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS Statistics software.
Study evaluated epidemiologic results, clinical aspects, indications for sclerotherapy, and early results after foam sclerotherapy.
3. Results
Multiple sclerotherapy sessions were done in patients.
The main follow up was 6 months (3; 24).
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Table 1. Distribution of sclerotherapy sessions in patients.
Foam sclerotherapy sessions permitted to get globally good results (Figure 1, Figure 2). In fact, tight feeling leg and painful leg disappears in 97% of patients. Decreases of edema were gotten in 97% of patients, as well varicose veins.
For leg ulcer, 64% of complete healing was obtained.
The main ulcer healing time was 47 days (18 - 72).
Some complications occurred. Superficial thrombophlebitis occurred in 5 patients (6.57%). Two patients experienced superficial limited skin necrosis.
After 6 months follow up, 3% of patients who experienced ulcer healing had a recurrence of disease.
No major events, such as deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, were observed.
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Figure 1. Foam sclerotherapy of varicose vein in lower limb.
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Figure 2. Varicose vein, 1 week after sclerotherapy.
4. Discussion
Foam sclerotherapy is used to treat the varicose veins of the lower limbs. Expected results should be ranged in same rate than other minimally-invasive treatments to be recommended.
Good results require good planning, with respect of the order of the reflux points, working from larger caliber varicose veins to those with smaller caliber [3].
Polidocanol is used as sclerosant because it is well tolerated when delivered either as a liquid or foamed sclerosant [2].
Varicose vein closure may be achieved by direct venous injection of either a liquid or a foamed agent to get endothelial cell damage within affected vessels and thereby stimulate transmural vessel wall damage [4] [5].
Use of liquid is less efficient in term of vein occlusion [6], but symptoms like pain, signs of inflammation and pigmentation, and superficial thrombophlebitis appear more often with foam sclerosis [7].
Rasmussen [8] compared four techniques available for treatment of saphenous vein reflux (intravenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy, and conventional surgery) and observed that the recanalization rate after foam sclerotherapy was approximately 20%, without repercussion for symptoms.
Sclerotherapy is a low-cost, noninvasive treatment, easy accessible in developing countries.
Minor complications occurred with that technique. Also sclerotherapy can be repeated in case of recurrence of venous insufficiency.
This study had some limitations: the non-use of guiding catheter or guided- ultrasound procedure. But such techniques are more helpful for sclerotherapy of the Great Saphenous vein.
In perspective, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy should be recommended for Great Saphenous Vein closure, to have better control, and good results [9] [10].
5. Conclusion
Foam sclerotherapy is an efficient technique for the treatment of varicose veins of the limbs. Also, it opens good perspectives for vein care. Sclerotherapy is a low-cost, minimally-invasive and accurate procedure.