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Why it's done

By Mayo Clinic staff

Sclerotherapy is often done for:

  • Cosmetic purposes — to improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins

The procedure also can improve related symptoms such as:

  • Aching
  • Swelling
  • Burning
  • Night cramps

If you're pregnant, doctors recommend waiting until after your pregnancy to have sclerotherapy done.

References
  1. Sclerotherapy of varicose veins and spider veins. Radiological Society of North America. www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=sclerotherapy. Accessed May 13, 2010.
  2. Varicose veins and spider veins. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/varicose-spider-veins.pdf. Accessed May 13, 2010.
  3. Vein treatments: What to expect before, during, and after. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/vein_treatments_expect.html. Accessed May 13, 2010.
  4. Parsons ME. Sclerotherapy basics. Dermatologic Clinics. 2004;22:501.
  5. Greenberg DL, et al. Liquid and foam sclerotherapy techniques for lower extremity vein ablation. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed May 14, 2010.
  6. Jia X, et al. Systematic review of foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins. British Journal of Surgery. 2007;94:925.
  7. Tisi PV, et al. Injection sclerotherapy for varicose veins (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD001732. http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD001732/frame.html. Accessed May 14, 2010.
MY01302 Sept. 9, 2010

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