Objectives
To assess the efficacy and safety of catheter foam sclerotherapy of refluxing great saphenous vein (GSV) after preterminal saphenous interruption and phlebectomy.
Patients and methods
We describe the results of the first 80 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The study endpoints were procedural technical success, 1-year GSV recanalization by duplex, and its relation to clinical varicose veins’ recurrence and disease severity by comparing the presclerotherapy venous clinical severity score with the postsclerotherapy values.
Results
Technical success was 100%. After 1 year, venous clinical severity score improved from 7.3±2.2 to 2.5±0.3 (<0.0001), with no clinical recurrence. The total GSV occlusion rate was 90% and reflux-free GSV was 95%, with no major complications.
Conclusions
Catheter foam sclerotherapy after preterminal saphenous interruption and phlebectomy yielded good short-term duplex and clinical results. It is simple, effective, safe, and easily repeatable. Long-term comparative study is essential taking into account the greater importance of clinical than duplex response.