Sclerotherapy for leg varicose veins

Harstall C, Corabian P
Record ID 32004000714
English
Authors' objectives: This review aims to assess the effectiveness of sclerotherapy to manage varicose veins of the legs.
Authors' recommendations: The reviewed evidence suggests that: - Standard sclerotherapy apears to be efficacious in the management of reticular varicosities and telangiectasia; polidocanol, sodium tetradecyl sulfate and hypertonic saline are potentially safe and effective sclerosants in the short-term, but there is no standard protocol for their use; - The place of sclerotherapy as the first line of treatment for large varicose veins (saphenous or non-saphenous) remains controversial; and - Following surgery, sclerotherapy may achieve good results for varicose veins that have not fully disappeared or recur. Endosclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy (with ultrasound guidance) appear to be efficacious for uncomplicated varicose veins. However, these techniques are still evolving and need further evaluation.
Authors' methods: Systematic review
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2004
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Varicose Veins
Contact
Organisation Name: Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address: 1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name: djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email: djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright: <p>Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR)</p>
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.