Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy for Vein Removal

To treat advanced varicose veins Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) is an extremely specialized procedure. This procedure allows the doctor to inject a sclerosant solution into the damaged vein. As a result, the walls of veins collapse and dissolve, and gradually disappear.

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy utilizes a tiny and flexible tube known as a catheter, rather than a needle (Transcatheter Image-Guided Occlusion Sclerotherapy, aka TIGOS). It is safe to use catheters for large veins under challenging areas more effectively.

Ultrasound allows vein experts to visually lead and monitor a needle toward an accurate source of the damaged vein (valve). After detecting the vein, they inject it with medicine. With the help of an ultrasound, doctors can treat varicose and spider veins more rapidly and safely. Hence, invasion surgical treatment is for more extensive and deeper veins.

However, sclerotherapy efficiently treats spider and varicose veins. Doctors often consider it as a treatment for small varicose veins. The sclerotherapy procedure comprises injecting a solution straight into the vein. It forces the flow of blood to redirect through healthy veins. As soon as the veins collapse, it gradually fades away.

The fading duration after sclerotherapy spans a few weeks. In some patients, the veins disappear after a month or more. You might need more than one sclerotherapy treatment to diminish all the veins.

How does Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy Work?

There is always confusion as to how ultrasound guided sclerotherapy works. What happens is that first, a detailed duplex ultrasound examination takes place. This creates a map that is a virtual presentation of the veins in the leg.

This map shows all the veins along with other structures such as arteries and deep veins. It helps the specialist identify the problem that has caused the varicose veins in the body.

Once the ultrasound is completed, the patient has to remain in bed as the procedure continues. Now the doctors can easily and accurately target the abnormal veins with the needle. While doing this, they will be monitoring the process on a monitor near them. Once they have injected the vein, it will collapse, and the body will absorb it, which will result in it disappearing soon.

Does This Method Have Any Advantages?

Well, yes, there are a few advantages, but the most significant one is that it allows doctors to monitor each vein that gets injected. This results in the doctor paying attention to other arteries and deep veins in the process to make sure they don’t get damaged. Sclerosant is a foam that has been even more helpful than when it was a solution. The procedure is now more effective and safe.

What Happens After Treatment?

This isn’t a long treatment, and it takes roughly half an hour. However, doctors state it as an hour of treatment because further examination is also necessary. Once the treatment is over, the patient receives grade 2 graduated compression stockings and is requested to walk for about 30 to 40 minutes to allow the blood to flow into the deeper veins.

Usually, patients come back for examination again a week after of the procedure. This check-up involves another detailed ultrasound to ensure the success of the treatment and that there isn’t any other damage.

Temporary side effects

You might experience some side effects after Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy, especially at the spot of the injection. Following are the temporary side effects;

  • Due to needles, you might see marks (bruises) in that particular area.
  • There will be some raised red areas.
  • Some tiny skin sores may occur.
  • Your skin might get a bit dark in the form of lines or spots
  • Several small red blood vessels will appear.

Usually, these side effects fade away within a few days, but some patients require several weeks to recover. However, they all will completely disappear because they are temporary side effects.

Side Effects that May Require Treatment

Moreover, other difficulties are not common but might need treatment. Following are the side effects;

Inflammation

Usually, inflammation is mild but might cause warmth, swelling, and discomfort around the injection areas. To reduce the inflammation (pain and discomfort), your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain killer such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy for Vein Removal

Blood clot

After the treatment of the varicose vein, there is a possibility that a blood clot may occur in that vein. A lump of the blood clot may require drainage urgently. There is a rare chance that blood clot possibly ill travel to a deeper vein of your leg.

A clot in a deeper vein of your leg means there us a thrombosis. It is an emergency scenario because the cloth travels toward your lungs to block a crucial artery. A thrombosis carries a risk and complication of sclerotherapy. So, it is best for you to immediately contact the health service provider and get the necessary medical care. Symptoms of thrombosis include chest pain, dizziness, or difficulty in breathing.

Air bubbles

Small air bubbles might appear in your bloodstream. Generally, there do not cause any symptoms. But if they do, the symptoms will be headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, and fainting. Eventually, these symptoms will fade away gradually. Hence, you can call your doctor or visit an authenticated website if you experience troubles with limb sensation or movement after the procedure.

Allergic reaction

Many of us carry allergies from different substances, materials, and climate. There is a huge possibility that you may experience some allergic reaction to the treatment.

Consult Dr. Navarro at The Vein Treatment Center © of NYC

With over 33 years of experience, Dr. Luis Navarro is New York’s preeminent vein doctor. The Vein Treatment Center © started as the first of its kind medical center for treating veins in New York City.

Call today for a free consultation:

The Vein Treatment Center ©
Luis Navarro MD FACS
327 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10065

800-300-VEIN

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