I do not know any physicians who are still using the hypertonic saline solution. It has been replaced by the newer sclerosants because they have a better safety profile. The newer solutions have a decreased risk of causing ulceration or breakdown of the skin. All sclerosants carry risks of complication, but the hypertonic saline has greater risk.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

"Saline" is a sclerotherapy solution. It is not really saline (0.9% salt) but 23.4 percent salt or 25 times more salt than what is in our blood. It works, but has a higher incidence of pain and pigmentation and, if enough is deposited outside the vein by an inexperienced "treater," an ulceration can form. See an expert.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes, but it is less successful.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy for spider veins has been proven to be very effective. It may take 2-3 sessions for the spider veins to completely disappear. Most clinics will use sclero instead of saline solution, but you may request whichever method you would like.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes, if the doctor is experienced in that technique.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

While effective for smaller spider veins, hypertonic saline will not work for larger varicose veins. Most phlebologists favor Sotradecol or Aethoxysklerol for sclerotherapy of all vein sizes because these solutions are more versatile, may be "foamed" for enhanced results, and cause much less discomfort on injection than saline.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

There are several solutions that are used successfully for spider vein treatment. Hypertonic saline is one of them, and not used as frequently as its associated with more stinging and discoloration
compared with other options such as glycerin or Asclera.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

We do not use "saline solution" in our office. However from reading and knowledge of sclerotherapy, saline can be very harsh and usually very painful. Spider veins typically do not have to be treated for medical reasons but for cosmetic reasons only.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Spider veins do not need to be treated unless they are causing a problem. Saline can be used. There are better solutions available that are painless.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Saline can be used for spider veins but it has more potential complications and certainly more discomfort then the newer agents.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Saline solution still can be used. The current medications are better though and don't burn upon injection (polidocanol, sotradecol). These medications are not that new, and have been around for decades, just FDA approved in last few years though.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

The procedures are the same. Sclerotherapy is when a "sclerosing" solution is injected into a vein to destroy it. Saline (hypertonic saline is super-concentrated) is not an FDA approved sclerosant for spider veins and is off label use. There are only two approved solutions which are Asclera (Polidochanol) and Sotradecol (sodium Tetradecyl Sulphate). In my practice we only use the FDA-approved solutions, which are actually safer and results are good. There are practitioners who continue with saline but it is more painful to inject (imagine salt in a cut) and has more incidence of ulceration and other complications. The results of sclerotherapy depend upon the type of veins being treated and the experience/technique of the injector.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy is still the gold standard for treatment of spider veins and hypertonic saline was the chemical of choice, but it burned and pigmentation problems and skin necrosis were not uncommon. There are several newer and better agents. You can probably still find someone who uses it but most of us have moved on.

Published on Jul 11, 2012