Have you ever heard of leg damage because of sclerotherapy?

Question

Years ago I was watching a talk show. There was a woman on it who had sclerotherapy and almost lost a leg. She claimed that a large vein was injected. Have you ever heard of leg damage because of sclerotherapy? How safe is it?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Sclerotherapy is the injection of a scarring solution, such as hypertonic saline (high concentration salt solution) to irritate and ultimately close off--by inducing scarring--the lining of unwanted blood vessels, such as "spider veins." These vessels, which may arise from genetics, pregnancies, overweight, and jobs that require prolonged standing, are superfluous, i.e they do not supply either nutrition or oxygen to the skin and are simply cosmetically unwanted. Larger vessels, such as varicose veins, may also be treated in this fashion.For decades. sclerotherapy for spider veins and varicose veins of the legs was the treatment of choice. Even today, laser enthusiasts still have to concede that sclerotherapy remains the gold standard for the smaller spider veins.I have been performing sclerotherapy for spider veins for over thirty years, and my experience, which is corroborated by consensual experience, is that the most common adverse reactions for treating the spider veins are minor and consist of occasional slight burning or cramping during treatment and sometimes soreness, redness and bruising for a few days afterward and rarely prolonged skin discoloration, These are all typically minor and do not impact in any way on the long term aesthetic benefits of treatment. Larger vessels, of course, are more likely to engender more of these unwanted adverse reactions, as well as severe inflammation of the vessel, phlebitis, which may be what occurred in the case of the woman described.Gratifying results typically require a series of two to four treatment sessions per site spaced at monthly intervals. Naturally, it is important to seek treatment and consultation by a board certified aesthetic core physician with extensive experience and expertise in performing sclerotherapy. And be sure to see his/her befores or afters.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Sclerotherapy is a safe procedure. I would opt to do the vein treatment with a board certified vein surgeon. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

yes sclerotherapy is 100% safe. this is the most efficient way of removing the veins. you should speak with your doctor and have a consult about having them removed

John Landi, MD · Answer

Sclerotherapy is a very safe procedure, and like most procedures, the safety and  beneficial results improve with the experience of the injector. Side effects of sclerotherapy are rare but include allergies to the solution, staining, matting and phlebitis.  What you describe with someone losing a leg from sclerotherapy would occur if the artery was injected and not the vein. This is extremely, extremely rare. Over the years the types of sclerosing solutions as well as the techniques of injecting have improved and, subsequently, the side effects have diminished. You should see a vein specialist.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Thousands of patients get sclerotherapy for medical or cosmetic vein concerns every day in the U.S. It is safe and low risk in trained hands. Hyperpigmentation is the most common side effect from sclerotherapy followed by phlebitis. Deep vein thrombosis can occur after sclerotherapy but is rare. Allergic reactions to the sclerosant solution can also occur.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Sclerotherapy is meant for and safe for small reticular and spider veins. It is not a treatment for large vascular veins. Those veins need to be treated by different means such as EVLT. It is when people become overjealous and try to treat things they know they shouldn't, that there are issues. Otherwise it is safe in the hands of trained physicians. "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and 
cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person 
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Have you ever heard of leg damage because of sclerotherapy?

Answers (6)

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