Alternative Foam Gases

What alternative gases with shorter half life can be used in foam sclerotherapy? I've had multiple liquid solutions but they just don't seem to have enough efficiency for the amount of veins I am trying to treat. Is Nitric Oxide a viable gas to use?

Answers from doctors (4)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Nov 28, 2017

Standard of care at this time is to use medical CO2 carbon dioxide. When correctly foamed, the bubbles are very small. It is important to use the appropriate strength solution and keep it well foamed. This ensures good contact with the vein wall and then easily dissipated. An experienced practitioner is important. As a surgeon I will remove larger veins as sclerotherapy is less successful.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Standard of care at this time is to use medical CO2 carbon dioxide. When correctly foamed, the bubbles are very small. It is important to use the appropriate strength solution and keep it well foamed. This ensures good contact with the vein wall and then easily dissipated. An experienced practitioner is important. As a surgeon I will remove larger veins as sclerotherapy is less successful.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Mar 21, 2012

Room air and CO2 can be used for foam sclerotherapy. There are specific
types of veins that necessitate foam sclerotherapy. Other types of
sclerotherapy agents are available and very effective.

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Answered by Miller Vein

Room air and CO2 can be used for foam sclerotherapy. There are specific
types of veins that necessitate foam sclerotherapy. Other types of
sclerotherapy agents are available and very effective.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Lafayette Regional Vein & Laser Center

Published on Feb 02, 2012

Foam sclerotherapy is a powerful tool that may treat almost any type of superficial pathology. When it comes to the optimal foam, it is the gas, ratio of gas to liquid, and sclerosant concentration that matter.
Generally speaking foam is not used for small superficial veins, yet large ropey veins and veins deep to the surface of the skin may effectively be treated. The most commonly used gases are room air, carbon dioxide, and mixed carbon dioxide/oxygen gas. I would choose CO2/O2 with a 1:4 liquid:gas ratio and a sclerosant capable of sustaining a foam consistency. This would offer a blend of quality foam using a bio-compatible gas with a safe profile.

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Answered by Lafayette Regional Vein & Laser Center

Foam sclerotherapy is a powerful tool that may treat almost any type of superficial pathology. When it comes to the optimal foam, it is the gas, ratio of gas to liquid, and sclerosant concentration that matter.
Generally speaking foam is not used for small superficial veins, yet large ropey veins and veins deep to the surface of the skin may effectively be treated. The most commonly used gases are room air, carbon dioxide, and mixed carbon dioxide/oxygen gas. I would choose CO2/O2 with a 1:4 liquid:gas ratio and a sclerosant capable of sustaining a foam consistency. This would offer a blend of quality foam using a bio-compatible gas with a safe profile.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jan 27, 2012

Nitrous Oxide is not used for foam sclerotherapy. It is a anesthetic gas. For foam sclerotherapy you have 2 options-polidocanol or sodium tetradecylsulfate. Tetradecylsulfate is stronger than polidocanol but I feel Polidocanol is the best foaming solution.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Nitrous Oxide is not used for foam sclerotherapy. It is a anesthetic gas. For foam sclerotherapy you have 2 options-polidocanol or sodium tetradecylsulfate. Tetradecylsulfate is stronger than polidocanol but I feel Polidocanol is the best foaming solution.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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