Is the treatment of the small saphenous veins with foam sclerotherapy at risk of deep vein thrombosis?

• Published in: Phlebology Vol. 29; no. 9; p. 600
• Main Authors: Gillet, J L, Lausecker, M, Sica, M, Guedes, J M, Allaert, F A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Popliteal Vein - diagnostic imaging; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Saphenous Vein - diagnostic imaging; Saphenous Vein - physiopathology; Sclerosing Solutions - administration & dosage; Sclerotherapy - methods; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Varicose Veins - therapy; Venous Insufficiency - therapy; Venous Thrombosis - physiopathology; Venous Thrombosis - therapy; Young Adult; Small saphenous vein; foam sclerotherapy; deep vein thrombosis; complications; echo-sclerotherapy
• DOI: 10.1177/0268355513497362

To assess the deep vein thrombosis risk of the treatment of the small saphenous veins depending on the anatomical pattern of the veins. A multicenter, prospective and controlled study was carried out in which small saphenous vein trunks were treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. The anatomical pattern (saphenopopliteal junction, perforators) was assessed by Duplex ultrasound before the treatment. All patients were systematically checked by Duplex ultrasound 8 to 30 days after the procedure to identify a potential deep vein thrombosis. Three hundred and thirty-one small saphenous veins were treated in 22 phlebology clinics. No proximal deep vein thrombosis occurred. Two (0.6%) medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis occurred in symptomatic patients. Five medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis and four cases of extension of the small saphenous vein sclerosis into the popliteal vein, which all occurred when the small saphenous vein connected directly into the popliteal vein, were identified by systematic Duplex ultrasound examination in asymptomatic patients. Medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis were more frequent (p = 0.02) in patients with medial gastrocnemius veins perforator. A common outlet or channel between the small saphenous vein and the medial gastrocnemius veins did not increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis after foam sclerotherapy of the small saphenous vein are very rare. Only 0.6% medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis occurred in symptomatic patients. However, the anatomical pattern of the small saphenous vein should be taken into account and patients with medial gastrocnemius veins perforators and the small saphenous vein connected directly into the popliteal vein should be checked by Duplex ultrasound one or two weeks after the procedure. Recommendations based on our everyday practice and the findings of this study are suggested to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis.