2004 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 33-44
To clarify the best suited concentrations of Polidocanol (POL) for sclerotherapy in the treatment of varicose veins, a prospective multicenter study was conducted. Between February 1995 and May 1997, 259 patients were divided into three groups; less than 1mm in the diameter of varicosity (group 1), from 1mm to 3mm (group 2), and over than 3mm (group 3). The POL concentration was decided by lot and compression sclerotherapy was performed. POL concentrations were selected among 0.25%, 0.5 % and 1.0% in group 1, 0.5%, 1.0 %, 2.0% in group 2, 2.0%and 3.0 % in group 3. There was no difference in the disappearance rate of varicose veins between 0.5% and 1.0% in group 1, and between 1.0% and 2.0% in group 2. The disappearance rate of 0.5% was higher than 0.25% in group 1 (p<0.05). The rate of 1.0% was higher than 0.5 % in group 2, and the one of 3.0% was higher than 2.0% in group 3 (p<0.05). There were no complications. The localized side effects were intravariceal thrombosis of 30.9% and pigmentation of 27.0%. Clinical examinations revealed that RBC, Hb and Ht were slightly decreased after treatment. In conclusion, the best suited concentration of POL is 0.5% for less than 1mm varicose vein, 1.0% for over than 1mm and less than 3mm, and 3.0% for over than 3mm in the treatment of varicose veins.
