Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
Immediate pathologic effects on the vein wall of foam sclerotherapy
Camillo Orsini1, Maurizio Brotto
1Department of Surgery, Camposampiero's Hospital, Camposampiero (Padova), Italy. camillorsini@libero.it
Background:
During the past 10 years, sclerotherapy has radically changed, the foam sclerotherapy method being better than that of liquid sclerotherapy.
Objectives:
We have analyzed the immediate pathologic effects on the saphenous vein wall in vivo after sclerotherapy with sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STD) foam.
Methods:
A group of six patients affected by chronic venous insufficiency, operated on by stripping of the saphenous vein, underwent an intraoperative procedure of sclerotherapy to an isolated but not yet removed tract of saphenous vein with 3% STD foam.
Results:
The pathologic damage of the foam was extremely rapid with complete damage of the endothelium within the first 2 minutes. In the successive 15 and 30 minutes there was edema of the intimal with its progressive separation from the tunica media and the initial formation and adhesion of the thrombus to the tunica media.
Conclusions:
In this in vivo report we analyze the capacity of 3% STD foam sclerotherapy to damage the saphenous vein wall. The damage is extremely fast and shows the detachment of the intimal and the development of the microthrombus.
Related Concept Videos
Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Varicose Veins I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Vascular Spasm
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

