Treatment of varicose veins: an assessment of intraoperative and postoperative compression sclerotherapy

Since thrombotic complications, such as superficial thrombophlebitis and subsequent skin pigmentation, are common after sclerotherapy, we conducted a study to evaluate whether combining sclerotherapy with ligation of varicose veins minimizes complications and what timing for sclerotherapy would be most beneficial-accompanying surgery or several weeks postsurgery. Surgical intervention and compression sclerotherapy were performed consecutively on 111 limbs (group A), and sclerotherapy was performed 28 days after surgical intervention on 87 limbs (group B). The volume of sclerosant used and the frequency of complications (thrombus formation and pigmentation) were analyzed. Plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) and D-dimer (DD), as markers for activation of coagulation, were compared. In group A, the total volume of sclerosant used in patients with complications was significantly higher than that in patients without complications. The frequency of thrombus formation and of pigmentation was significantly lower (p <0.01) in group B (10% and 18%, respectively) than in group A (21% and 37%, respectively). The plasma levels of TAT 7 days after treatment were significantly lower in group B (3.4 +/- 1.2 mg/L) than in group A (4.9 +/- 1.1 mg/L). Performing compression sclerotherapy 28 days after surgical intervention is effective for reducing complications and a good alternative for patients with an underlying hypercoagulable state.