BACKGROUND: Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) in its most severe forms, with ulceration and inflammatory lesions, is associated with a conventional surgical treatment of difficult execution. Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy of saphenous veins is considered an alternative therapy with satisfactory results. OBJECTIVE: To report the results of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy in the treatment of patients with lower limb CVI with active ulcer. METHODS: Over a period of 48 months, 71 patients (76 limbs) underwent 3% polidocanol foam ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy of saphenous vein. Follow-up was performed by means of clinical questionnaire, physical examination and Doppler ultrasound, in seven days, one and six months, and every six months thereafter. We analyzed time to ulcer healing, improvement of clinical symptoms, recanalization, recurrence of symptoms and complications. RESULTS: Females accounted for 61% of cases, and the age ranged from 25 to 85 years (mean 59 years). The mean follow-up was 460 days. Reflux of the deep venous system was observed in 53% of the limbs. Ulcer healing occurred in 84,2% of cases, with a mean healing time of 37 days. Recanalization occurred in 31,5%, but recurrence of symptoms, with recurrence of ulcer, was 11,8%. CONCLUSION: Foam sclerotherapy is effective and presents high rates of ulcer healing, with low rates of complications, in patients with severe CVI.
saphenous vein; venous insufficiency; varicose ulcer; sclerotherapy; ultrasonography, interventional
