This is a technique developed many years ago using a needle and sclerosing agent (a chemical injected inside the vein to cause irritation and closure) that allows us to visually, or by ultrasound guidance, place a needle tip inside a vessel. The injection of the sclerosing agent causes a displacement of blood.  The vessel then turns white or blanches and swells and becoming irritated, and usually turning red, inhibiting the blood from returning. Typically, each vein will require more than one injection. In addition, the same technique can be used to treat less visible veins by ultrasound guidance. After treatment, compression stockings are worn and regular activities can be resumed. Sclerotherapy sessions are usually done no sooner than 4-6 weeks apart to allow proper healing between treatments.

Prior to treatment, a complete medical history is taken and a thorough examination made in order to determine, among other things, how long the problem has existed, are there any ongoing causative factors, and if there are any associated symptoms. Normally, an ultrasound study is not indicated, unless the spider veins are found in conjunction with larger varicose veins. If your spider veins are found in conjunction with varicose veins, and i the valves in your greater saphenous vein are broken, an Endovascular Laser Venous System may be recommended before Microsclerotherapy is undertaken. Pre-procedure instructions may include the elimination of certain medications which are know to aggravate spider veins, and the elimination or minimization of any medications know to cause excessive bruising or bleeding.

If your spider veins are found in conjunction with varicose veins, then the larger varicose veins are usually treated first (but NOT by microsclerotherapy, which is only appropriate for spider veins). After the skin is thoroughly cleansed with alcohol, a small amount of sclerosing (hardening) solution is injected directly into the spider vein using a syringe with a very tiny needle. The vein immediately disappears, then returns in about 10-15 seconds and is actually MORE prominent than it was before treatment started. The irritated vein then fades away over a few weeks.

The solution displaces the blood within the vein, causing it to blanch or turn white. The solution then causes the vessel to become irritated and swell shut, prohibiting the blood from reentering the vein. The skin may be kneaded to help disperse the solution and reduce bruising. Each vein may require several injections and most disappear in a few weeks

After your treatment, you are NOT wrapped in compression bandages, but we may put a simple small band-aid over the injection site to protect your clothing. You then simply walk out of the office and immediately resume normal daily activities.

The Benefits and Expected Results

- Gets rid of unsightly spider veins

- Normalizes skin blood flow

- No incisions, so no scars

- Does not interfere with normal activities

- Safe, virtually painless, in-office treatment

Labial/Groin Venous Disease Treatments As in the above sclerotherapy description, we are able to treat labial varicosities with microinjection techniques. This is a very common problem often not mentioned because of embarrassment or lack of understanding. It is commonly seen post pregnancy in addition to just being a part of varicose vein disease in general.