Schlerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the technique of accessing the varicose veins with a small needle, injecting a detergent solution into the veins to damage the inner lining of the veins, and flattening the damaged veins with localized pressure from cotton balls, folded gauze, or foam and properly fitted compression stockings.

Sclerotherapy can be used to treat any unwanted vein. It works best for medium, small and tiny veins. The concentrations needed to treat larger veins are high creating some safety issues. Sclerotherapy can also be used after the larger diseased veins have been treated by a stripping or ablation procedure and there are a few varicose tributaries remaining that need to be treated. Dr. Powell uses sclerotherapy for hand veins, vulvar veins, spider veins, and remaining varicose tributaries. He uses foam for the medium veins and liquid for the small and tiny spider veins.