Sclerotherapy is a targeted chemical ablation of enlarged (varicose) veins by intravenous injection of a liquid or foamy sclerosing drug. Treated veins can be intradermal, subcutaneous and/or transfascial, as well as superficial and deep in the case of venous malformations. The aim of these guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations for liquid and foam sclerotherapy.
Methods: The present guidelines were prepared on behalf of 23 European phlebology societies during the guidelines conference held May 7-10, 2012 in Mainz. The conference was organized by the German Society of Phlebology. The guidelines review the current state of knowledge reflected in the published medical literature. The regulatory situation of sclerosing drugs varies from country to country, but this is not taken into account in this document. The recommendations of these guidelines are graded in accordance with the recommendations of the American College of Chest Physicians task force for evaluating the strength of recommendations and quality of evidence in clinical guidelines.
Results: The current guidelines focus on the two sclerosing drugs that are licensed in most European countries - polidocanol and sodium tetradecyl sulfate. Other sclerosants are not discussed in detail. The guidelines provide recommendations regarding the indications, contraindications, side effects, concentrations, volumes, technique, and efficacy of liquid and foam sclerotherapy of varicose veins and venous malformations.
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