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Complications of Sclerotherapy

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Complications in Cutaneous Surgery

Abstract

Sclerotherapy is the systematic, targeted elimination of intracutaneous and subcutaneous varicose, reticular telangiectasias by the injection of a locally irritating chemical substance, called a sclerosant. Physicians practicing phlebology (the study and science of diagnosis and treatment of veins) rely heavily on the use of sclerotherapy to rid the body of diseased veins. Sclerosants work by direct mechanisms to provoke marked damage of the endothelium of the vessels and possibly transmural wall damage. Subsequently, a local thrombus is generated and, in the long term, damaged veins will be transformed into a fibrous cord, a process referred to as sclerosis. The purpose of sclerotherapy is not just a thrombosis of the vessel, but the definite transformation into a fibrous cord which is impossible to recanalize.1 In essence, the endpoint of this process is functionally analogous to surgical removal of a vein.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Charlotte, NC, USA

    Girish S. Munavalli MD, MHS (Clinical Instructor) & Robert A. Weiss MD (Associate Professor and Director)

  2. Maryland Laser, Skin, and Vein Institute, Hunt Valley, MD, USA

    Robert A. Weiss MD (Associate Professor and Director)

Authors
  1. Girish S. Munavalli MD, MHS
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  2. Robert A. Weiss MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Hugh M. Gloster Jr. MD (Associate Professor and Director of Dermatologic Surgery) (Associate Professor and Director of Dermatologic Surgery)

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Munavalli, G.S., Weiss, R.A. (2008). Complications of Sclerotherapy. In: Gloster, H.M. (eds) Complications in Cutaneous Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73152-0_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73152-0_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-73151-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-73152-0

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