Sclerotherapeutic Agents Used For Treatment of Spider and Varicose Veins:Update 2002

Sclerotherapy for varicose and spider veins is a commonly performed procedure in dermatology and dermatologic surgery; before the advent of botulinum toxin injection for wrinkles, it was the most commonly requested cosmetic procedure. The dilemma of choosing a sclerosing agent is particularly acute in the U.S. because of diminished availability of sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and a distinct shortage of available alternatives. It is therefore even more important for dermatologists and other physicians to know how to utilize different classes of solutions to achieve similar results. Over the last two decades, significant progress has been made in understanding which solutions provide better results for any specific vessel size or location. We have had the opportunity to compare a number of solutions side by side in similar size vessels with similar sources of reflux. some differences have emerged between categories of solutions, concentrations of solutions, and the sites at which these agents are injected.