English summary: RESULTS OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FOAM SCLEROTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF SAPHENOUS TRUNK INCOMPETENCE - A 6-MONTH FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF 100 PATIENTS

Background.

Medium-term (6 months) efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) were assessed in a cohort of patients with symptomatic venous disease and identified saphenous trunk reflux.

Methods.

One hundred consecutive patients were treated with UGFS. The endpoint was ultrasound-determined occlusion of the treated 160 trunk veins and elimination of reflux.

Results.

At one month UGFS achieved early complete occlusion in 144/160 (90%) of the trunk veins treated. In the remaining 16/160 (10%) veins the occlusion was partial. At 6 months, complete recanalisation had occurred in eight (5%) of the trunk veins. Of the remainder, 100 (63%) complete and 52 (33%) partial occlusions were identified. No serious complications occurred. Patient satisfaction was high as 78% of patients felt that their legs had been successfully treated with resolution of symptoms.

Conclusions.

Long-term follow-up and adjunctive treatment after UGFS is crucial in order to achieve good long-term results.