ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the clinical efficacy of foam sclerotherapy with lauromacrogol for varicose veins of the lower extremities.Methods During the period from February to July 2011,we retrospectively analyzed 20 patients with varicose veins of the lower extremities,who were treated with lauromacrogol foam sclerosing agent injected directly at varicose veins,and in 5 extremities injected at the great saphenous vein(GSV) through a catheter at the same time.Elastic bandages were applied at the site of the injected varicosities after the therapy.The clogging of the varicose veins,the improvement of the clinical symptoms and the adverse reaction were observed. Results Lauromacrogol foam sclerosing agent was successfully injected under the guidance of fluoroscopy in 20 patients with 28 affected extremities. The average volume of foam sclerosing agent in each affected extremity was 7.8 ml. All patients presented selflimiting minor complications,including swelling and pain,which was obviously alleviated by the externallyapplied Mucopolysaccharide Polysulfate Cream.Two patients presented cough that was relieved after inhaling oxygen. Most of treated varicosities demonstrated pigmentation after the first week, which gradually disappeared after the four-month use of vitamin E capsule.A second foam sclerotherapy was carried out for 3 affected extremities of 3 patients two months after the first therapy. Two cases of leg venous ulcer were healed within a few weeks.All patients could walk immediately with no deep vein thrombosis,pulmonary embolism,anaphylaxis,or transient visual disturbance. Obvious abnormal varicose veins as well as the soreness and fatigue of the lower extremities disappeared in all patients at the 10th-month follow-up.The grading of the disease was significantly improved by the treatment (Z =5.103,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions The efficacy of lauromacrogol foam sclerosing agent in the treatment of varicose veins of the lower extremities is confirmed,with advantages of lower complication,ease of treatment,repeatability,and outpatient treatment.the filling-defects technique under fluoroscopy is a method for tracing the sclerosing foam,and can effectively prevent the decp vcin thrombosis.