Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins in May 2007. This replaced the previous guidance on 'Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins' (Interventional Procedures Guidance no. 182, June 2006).

NICE has reviewed this guidance and is reassessing the procedure. New guidance will be published as a result.  Until the new guidance is published the NHS should continue to follow the recommendations in the guidance below.

The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee (IPAC) has considered this procedure and NICE has issued a consultation document about its safety and efficacy. Consultation has now ended. IPAC will consider the consultation comments and produce a Final Interventional Procedures Document, which will be considered by NICE before guidance is issued to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The consultation period for this procedure closed on the 26 May 2009.

If you wish to be alerted to developments regarding this procedure, including the release of NICE guidance, please express your interest at the top of the page.

Varicose veins are veins that have become wider than normal and are unable to transport blood properly. Symptoms include heaviness, aching, throbbing, itching, cramps or fatigue in the legs. In severe cases, patients may have skin discolouration, inflammation, or skin ulcers. Foam sclerotherapy involves injecting a foam (which may either be a prepared product, or produced by mixing a chemical with air or other gas) into the affected vein. This inflames the vein and causes it to close Sometimes patients may need more than one injection to block the vein.

Other (see guidance)

Cardiovascular
Surgical procedures

General surgery

Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
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