Can sclerotherapy be performed on large varicose veins?

Answers from doctors (19)


More About Doctor David Green, MD

Published on Jun 15, 2021

Absolutely yes. For most large varicose veins, in my experience, it provides a better outcome than surgical treatment. However, it often requires a few months for the treated veins to completely disappear. With Sclerotherapy, it is possible to remove an entire segment of a varicose vein; with phlebectomy only small segments of veins are removed leaving segments behind.

Answered by David Green, MD (View Profile)

Absolutely yes. For most large varicose veins, in my experience, it provides a better outcome than surgical treatment. However, it often requires a few months for the treated veins to completely disappear. With Sclerotherapy, it is possible to remove an entire segment of a varicose vein; with phlebectomy only small segments of veins are removed leaving segments behind.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Treatment Clinic

Published on Oct 14, 2019

Sclerotherapy is an option for varicose vein treatment, sometimes used in combination with other minimally invasive procedures depending on your diagnosis, physical examination, and imaging results. My recommendation is for you to see a specialist board-certified in Venous and Lymphatic medicine for evaluation and treatment for your specific case.
All the best!

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Answered by Vein Treatment Clinic

Sclerotherapy is an option for varicose vein treatment, sometimes used in combination with other minimally invasive procedures depending on your diagnosis, physical examination, and imaging results. My recommendation is for you to see a specialist board-certified in Venous and Lymphatic medicine for evaluation and treatment for your specific case.
All the best!

Published on Jul 11, 2012


North Shore Vein Center

Published on Apr 11, 2013

Sclerotherapy works better on non-bulging veins, but it can be done. True, varicose veins that bulge out and are palpable generally have an underlying cause that needs to be addressed and treated by means other than sclerotherapy.

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Answered by North Shore Vein Center

Sclerotherapy works better on non-bulging veins, but it can be done. True, varicose veins that bulge out and are palpable generally have an underlying cause that needs to be addressed and treated by means other than sclerotherapy.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Center for Vein Care and Surgery

Published on Apr 10, 2013

Yes, I perform foam sclerotherapy using ultrasound guidance as an adjunct to clear up any residual varicose veins after Venefit saphenous vein closure. I will usually wait 3 months to see how many varicosities remain, if any, after closure. Afterwards, I will assess for "clean up" foam sclerotherapy versus ambulatory microphlebectomy of these persistent varicosities. If there is no reflux on the patient's initial ultrasound mapping, I will then consider sclerotherapy as the initial treatment of choice.

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Answered by Center for Vein Care and Surgery

Yes, I perform foam sclerotherapy using ultrasound guidance as an adjunct to clear up any residual varicose veins after Venefit saphenous vein closure. I will usually wait 3 months to see how many varicosities remain, if any, after closure. Afterwards, I will assess for "clean up" foam sclerotherapy versus ambulatory microphlebectomy of these persistent varicosities. If there is no reflux on the patient's initial ultrasound mapping, I will then consider sclerotherapy as the initial treatment of choice.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Published on Apr 09, 2013

Yes

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Answered by Americas Vein Centers - Southborough

Yes

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Published on Apr 05, 2013

Yes, the procedure can be done on large varicose veins.

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Answered by Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute

Yes, the procedure can be done on large varicose veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Chuback Vein Center

Published on Apr 04, 2013

Sclerotherapy is most commonly used for smaller veins or spider veins (those less than 5 mm in diameter.) For larger varicose veins, there are minimally invasive procedures that are available.

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Answered by Chuback Vein Center

Sclerotherapy is most commonly used for smaller veins or spider veins (those less than 5 mm in diameter.) For larger varicose veins, there are minimally invasive procedures that are available.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Apr 01, 2013

Sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose veins, but it probably won't be very effective. The larger the vein the more blood flow it usually has which, it turn, will be more likely to wash out the sclero and be ineffective.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose veins, but it probably won't be very effective. The larger the vein the more blood flow it usually has which, it turn, will be more likely to wash out the sclero and be ineffective.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Mar 30, 2013

Most certainly sclerotherapy can treat large varicose veins.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Most certainly sclerotherapy can treat large varicose veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Arizona Vein Specialists

Published on Mar 29, 2013

Sclerotherapy can be done on large varicosities. It is necessary to first control any major venous insufficiency if it exists in the major trunk veins. Veins larger than 4 mm can be treated with a foamed sclerosant; however, the risk of hyperpigmentation increases. Sometimes, a mini-phlebectomy can be more cosmetic. Your vein specialist will advise you.

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Answered by Arizona Vein Specialists

Sclerotherapy can be done on large varicosities. It is necessary to first control any major venous insufficiency if it exists in the major trunk veins. Veins larger than 4 mm can be treated with a foamed sclerosant; however, the risk of hyperpigmentation increases. Sometimes, a mini-phlebectomy can be more cosmetic. Your vein specialist will advise you.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Mar 29, 2013

Yes, sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose veins. It may require a few treatments, and sometimes there is "trapped blood" that needs to be removed. The latter is simple to do. I prefer phlebectomy of large varices, but sclerotherapy is an accepted treatment as well.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Yes, sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose veins. It may require a few treatments, and sometimes there is "trapped blood" that needs to be removed. The latter is simple to do. I prefer phlebectomy of large varices, but sclerotherapy is an accepted treatment as well.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Mar 29, 2013

Sclerotherapy can be performed on any sized veins. For large varicose veins, however, I prefer microphlebectomy. The advantage of microphlebectomy is that it's a "one and done" procedure as opposed to sclerotherapy, which often requires several treatments.

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Answered by Miller Vein

Sclerotherapy can be performed on any sized veins. For large varicose veins, however, I prefer microphlebectomy. The advantage of microphlebectomy is that it's a "one and done" procedure as opposed to sclerotherapy, which often requires several treatments.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Mar 29, 2013

Yes. Sclerotherapy can be used to treat almost any varicose vein in the leg, and with great success. However, to properly and safely do so, the doc needs to know where these large varicose veins start, end and what they hook into in order to do it safely. They may even need to use an ultrasound to help guide them in where to inject and what vessels to stay away from. As a vein treatment specialist, I personally prefer this method over "stripping" (or as most docs call it "micro/stab phlebectomy"). Using sclerotherapy instead of stripping, when done correctly, results in the vein disappearing with no incisions/scars. Unlike in the case of stripping, people are often left with multiple small incision marks.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

Yes. Sclerotherapy can be used to treat almost any varicose vein in the leg, and with great success. However, to properly and safely do so, the doc needs to know where these large varicose veins start, end and what they hook into in order to do it safely. They may even need to use an ultrasound to help guide them in where to inject and what vessels to stay away from. As a vein treatment specialist, I personally prefer this method over "stripping" (or as most docs call it "micro/stab phlebectomy"). Using sclerotherapy instead of stripping, when done correctly, results in the vein disappearing with no incisions/scars. Unlike in the case of stripping, people are often left with multiple small incision marks.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Mar 28, 2013

Sometimes. Yes.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Sometimes. Yes.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

Published on Mar 28, 2013

Sometimes sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose veins, but it depends on the patient's anatomy, symptoms, etc. You should schedule an appointment and evaluation with an experienced vein specialist.

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Answered by South Palm Cardiovascular Associates

Sometimes sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose veins, but it depends on the patient's anatomy, symptoms, etc. You should schedule an appointment and evaluation with an experienced vein specialist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Mar 28, 2013

Sclerotherapy can be done on large varicose veins, but microphlebectomies may be a better option.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Sclerotherapy can be done on large varicose veins, but microphlebectomies may be a better option.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein 911

Published on Mar 28, 2013

Yes, foam sclerotherapy is very effective at eliminating large varicose veins.

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Answered by Vein 911

Yes, foam sclerotherapy is very effective at eliminating large varicose veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Mar 28, 2013

Sclerotherapy can be performed on varicose veins, but when they are large, there are better alternatives. As a surgeon with many years of vascular experience, I typically remove these veins in the office under local anesthesia. The incisions (punctures actually) are very small and the sections of veins are removed through them. In experienced hands, this is a one-time procedure and the vein is gone. Cosmetically, this is a nice procedure with no scarring. At the most, there may be a small freckle-like dot that will remain. There is also little downtime (a couple of days with a light dressing and stocking for a week). With sclerotherapy in larger varicose veins, it involves multiple visits for injection and also additional visits to remove areas of "trapped clotted" blood. If not removed, these can be uncomfortable and also cause staining of the skin overlying the veins.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Sclerotherapy can be performed on varicose veins, but when they are large, there are better alternatives. As a surgeon with many years of vascular experience, I typically remove these veins in the office under local anesthesia. The incisions (punctures actually) are very small and the sections of veins are removed through them. In experienced hands, this is a one-time procedure and the vein is gone. Cosmetically, this is a nice procedure with no scarring. At the most, there may be a small freckle-like dot that will remain. There is also little downtime (a couple of days with a light dressing and stocking for a week). With sclerotherapy in larger varicose veins, it involves multiple visits for injection and also additional visits to remove areas of "trapped clotted" blood. If not removed, these can be uncomfortable and also cause staining of the skin overlying the veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Mar 28, 2013

Sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose leg veins when using the correct technique. Usually, foam injections are best, followed by post-treatment compression stockings.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Sclerotherapy can be performed on large varicose leg veins when using the correct technique. Usually, foam injections are best, followed by post-treatment compression stockings.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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