What is the Correct Period of Bandaging following Sclerotherapy?

Abstract

Two consecutive randomized trials following injection sclerotherapy for varicose veins compared 3 and 6 weeks bandaging in 148 patients and 1 to 3 weeks bandaging in 130 patients. Objective assessment and patient's symptoms, using a scoring system, correlated well and showed that there was no difference whatsoever between 3 and 6 weeks' bandaging after a 6 year follow-up. In the second trial, the patients who were bandaged for 3 weeks were significantly better (P < 0.001) than after only one week of bandaging at a maximum follow up of 4 years. Long term follow up of injection sclerotherapy for primary varicose veins suggests that 3 weeks is superior to 1 week bandaging, but that there is no additional advantage in continuing bandaging for six weeks.

Efficacy of Sclerotherapy in Varicose Veins—A Prospective, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study

“…The treatment aims to obliterate the lumen on varicose veins or thread veins; however, there is limited evidence regarding its efficacy. 16 Under the assumption that injection sclerotherapy is effective at obliterating varicose veins, randomized studies comparing different sclerosants [17][18][19] or comparing different modalities of compression following sclerotherapy [19][20][21] were performed in the past. From a biometric point of view it is necessary first to demonstrate that sclerotherapy is efficient before comparative studies between different types of sclerosants were performed.…”

Efficacy of Sclerotherapy in Varicose Veins-A Prospective, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study

“…The treatment aims to obliterate the lumen on varicose veins or thread veins; however, there is limited evidence regarding its efficacy 16 . Under the assumption that injection sclerotherapy is effective at obliterating varicose veins, randomized studies comparing different sclerosants 17–19 or comparing different modalities of compression following sclerotherapy 19–21 were performed in the past. From a biometric point of view it is necessary first to demonstrate that sclerotherapy is efficient before comparative studies between different types of sclerosants were performed.…”

Guidelines for Sclerotherapy of Varicose Veins (ICD 10: I83.0, I83.1, I83.2, and I83.9)

“…The local compression can be removed in the evening or on the next day. Depending on the diameter and location of the varicose vein, compression is performed for hours (spider veins) to several days and weeks after completion of sclerotherapy 3,12,37 After the sclerotherapy session using the traditional technique, the patient should walk for a while to dilute the sclerosant after a short time of action.…”

“…The local compression can be removed in the evening or on the next day. Depending on the diameter and location of the varicose vein, compression is performed for hours (spider veins) to several days and weeks after completion of sclerotherapy 3,12,37 …”