I had foam sclerotherapy in my left leg..vein has become partially occluded

I had foam sclerotherapy in my left leg a couple of months ago and now my great saphenous vein has become partially occluded with the foam.

My great saphenous vein was healthy. Foam accidentally occluded my great saphenous vein 10cm down from the groin and more of the vein is occluded in my calf. Will I need to have this vein obliterated with a laser or will it die off naturally?

Answers from doctors (3)


Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI , RPhS

Published on Jul 27, 2017

I recommend follow up scans in 1 week and 1 month to determine if it has recanalized. If you have symptoms at that time and if it has recanalized, you may need EVLA if there is reflux in that vein, either at the saphenofemoral junction, or segmental reflux.


//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/7742_1500327131.jpg
Answered by Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI , RPhS

I recommend follow up scans in 1 week and 1 month to determine if it has recanalized. If you have symptoms at that time and if it has recanalized, you may need EVLA if there is reflux in that vein, either at the saphenofemoral junction, or segmental reflux.


Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

Published on May 10, 2011

You may just have to wait and see what happens to that vein. However, one good solution is to have your doctor remove the thrombus from your GSV, It may return to normal a functioning vein. Actually to prevent such event, which are not uncommon, I design Foam Washout sclerotherapy (Patent Pending). Under Foam Washout sclerotherapy a targeted varicose veins is brought in contact with the sclerosing foam, while simultaneously the injected foam is removed (aspirated) from more distal segment of the foam. Thus, none of the foam is left there to spread into other veins. Thus we avoid closure of other veins, other than the specific target, and risk of DVT is much much less than regular foam sclerotherapy. You can see a video of this technique by searching YouTube.com
Khalil Fattahi, MD Certified, American Board of Phlebology

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/526_1499901101.jpg
Answered by Vein Specialty Medical Clinic, Inc.

You may just have to wait and see what happens to that vein. However, one good solution is to have your doctor remove the thrombus from your GSV, It may return to normal a functioning vein. Actually to prevent such event, which are not uncommon, I design Foam Washout sclerotherapy (Patent Pending). Under Foam Washout sclerotherapy a targeted varicose veins is brought in contact with the sclerosing foam, while simultaneously the injected foam is removed (aspirated) from more distal segment of the foam. Thus, none of the foam is left there to spread into other veins. Thus we avoid closure of other veins, other than the specific target, and risk of DVT is much much less than regular foam sclerotherapy. You can see a video of this technique by searching YouTube.com
Khalil Fattahi, MD Certified, American Board of Phlebology

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 09, 2011

If you are not having any symptoms then I would recommend no further treatment for the greater saphenous vein. The areas occluded will probably remain permanently blocked and should not cause any problems

//imgs-origin.edoctors.com/imageresizer/image/user_uploads/58x58_85-1/doctors/1053_1499982262.jpg
Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

If you are not having any symptoms then I would recommend no further treatment for the greater saphenous vein. The areas occluded will probably remain permanently blocked and should not cause any problems

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Related Questions for Foam Sclerotherapy

Foam Sclerotherapy -13 answers
I had EVLT performed on both legs. A week later, I had a foam sclerotherapy treatment. I developed thrombophlebitis following the procedures, and was given ibuprofen 600 for 2 weeks. I am finding that I still have no relief. There is pain behind my knee & inner thigh. What should I do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -5 answers
It has been almost 3 weeks since I had the procedure. Is it OK to go for a full body massage? If not, when will I be able to go?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
I've had four rounds of sclerotherapy over the course of a year. Now they're much much worse, and there are new clusters of veins around the injection site. Is it possible sclerotherapy just doesn't work for me?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
Is it bad for your health to have sclerotherapy? It seems dangerous to inject chemicals like that directly into the bloodstream. Couldn't they spread and cause damage to other veins/areas of the body?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
20 years ago I had liquid Sclerotherapy and was bandaged for one month. The veins weregone when removed.Two months after my foam sclerotherapy my veins are still there. I know brown pigmentation takes a while to fade. The only difference is that this time I was only given compression stockings, not tight, to wear for 1 week. I've been wearing my own (stronger) stocking for 7 weeks, but no improvement. I'm very disappointed. Will the veins ever improve?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
I have done several procedures Foam Sclerotherapy, injections, etc. This has caused those areas to stain. Also the pain continues especially when I'm on my mentral cycle, which causes it to be even more pruple and almost black in color.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -4 answers
I had the great and short saphenous veins treated on both legs. I am still wearing compression hose during the day but my legs feel very tender and bruised and it hurts when I walk.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
I hate the big veins on my hands. Is it safe to get rid of them with sclerotherapy?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works
Foam Sclerotherapy -5 answers
I had the VENUS procedure done 4 weeks ago along with foam sclerotherapy into a perforator vein about 3" above my ankle. Ultrasound shows a thrombosis in this area. It is still hardened, tender, and has not improved. What should I expect my surgeon to do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -2 answers
My leg aches continually especially in warm weather. Can this be eradicated with more foam to reduce the refluxing veins? What are my chances of getting phlebitis again in this leg and how long should I leave it before having more treatment?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -10 answers
My doctor says it's okay but I thought veins had to clot in order for the sclerotheraphy to be successful.
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -6 answers
I am thinking about having foam sclerotherapy and I was once told by a doctor that the blood will clot from the foam and then the foam shrinks the vein. Can you explain this process? How long does the blood clot stay there? Is it a concern, and is there a risk of developing other problems from this treatment, such as cancer?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
I have developed protruding blue veins around my ankle (my achilles heel area) and generally on my foot. Would foam sclerotherapy or just sclerotherapy be suitable in treating this? Would it help resolve my ankle aching on hot days?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -7 answers
I have bulging veins on my feet that concern me health-wise. Can they be treated using sclerotherapy? Or, is there a better procedure for this particular area?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -6 answers
I had foam scleotherapy 16 days ago on a very superficial varicose vein behind my left knee. The surgeon injected the vein with foam; however, at that moment, I felt pain along the vein in my inner thigh. I had severe bruising along this vein even though it was far from the site of injection. I now still have bruising and there are palpable tender lumps along the length of the vein on my inner thigh for about 4-5 inches. Is this normal? What do I do?
See More
Foam Sclerotherapy -3 answers
what are the advantages (if any) over Asclera and also, must a compression stocking be worn after the proceedure AND EXACTLY for how long?
See More
Get answers from our experienced doctors.
How it works

Related Articles

Have specific questions?
ASK A DOCTOR