Why does foam-sclerotherapy work better than liquid-sclerotherapy for medium & large varicose veins?
With traditional liquid sclerotherapy, once the sclerosing liquid is injected in a vein, it quickly dilutes with blood, resulting in decreased concentration of sclerosing agent within the lumen of the target vein. Therefore, an effective concentration of sclerosant is not staying in touch with the inner surface of the vein for a sufficient amount of time in many cases. While foam displaces the blood away and remains in contact with the inner layer of injected veins for a longer and more effective period. This makes foam sclerotherapy a much more effective treatment than liquid sclerotherapy. Furthermore, with foam there is much less post treatment local pain, discomfort, and pigmentation of the overlying skin. In summary, foam is much more effective and associated with fewer side effects in the treatment of varicose veins. Nowadays, many European pioneers of foam-sclerotherapy prefer foam over surgery, as presented at the latest World Congress on Vein Disease in San Diego in the summer
