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Appointment

Sclerotherapy Variceal Ligation

Overview

Sclerotherapy effectively treats varicose and spider veins. It's often considered the treatment of choice for small varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the vein. The sclerotherapy solution causes the vein to scar, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.

After sclerotherapy, treated veins tend to fade within a few weeks, although occasionally it may take a month or more to see the full results. In some instances, several sclerotherapy treatments may be needed.

Why it's done

Sclerotherapy is often done for:

Cosmetic purposes

The procedure can also improve related symptoms such as:

  • Aching
  • Swelling
  • Burning
  • Night cramps

Risks

Sclerotherapy results in few serious complications.

Temporary side effects

Some side effects that may occur at the site of the injection include:

  • Bruising
  • Raised red areas
  • Darkened skin in the form of lines or spots
  • Small skin sores
  • Multiple tiny red blood vessels

Results

If you were treated for small varicose veins or spider veins, you can usually expect to see definitive results in three to six weeks. Larger veins may require three to four months. However, multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the results you want.

Veins that respond to treatment generally don't come back, but new veins may appear.

Your doctor will likely schedule a follow-up visit about a month after the procedure to determine how well the procedure worked and if you need more sessions. Generally, you need to wait about six weeks before undergoing another sclerotherapy session.