A Study on “Sodiumtetradecyl Sulphate (STS) and Polidocanol (POL) to Treat Incompetent Tributaries of Superficial Veins of Legs” in Patients having Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Common presentations of Varicose veins (VV) are leg heaviness, cramping pain, edema, skin pigmentation and ulcers. Patients also present as bunches of varicosities caused by incompetent tributaries of superficial veins of legs. Various options to treat these varicosities are mini phlebectomy, hook phlebectomy, trivex, sclerotherapy. Foam sclerotherpy is minimal invasive and is OPD procedure. Various sclerosants are Sodiumtetradecyl sulphate (STS), polidocanol(POL), Ethanolamine oleate, sodium morrhuate, Hypertonic saline, Glycerin. Sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) and polidocanol (POL) are most commonly used sclerosants. Adverse events caused by these Sclerosants are Pain, thrombophlebitis, hyperpigmentation, allergy, anaphylactic shock, cutaneous necrosis, DVT, headache, visual disturbances, chest tightness. Foam sclerotherapy is better to liquid sclerosants for the treatment of varicosities of tributaries of superficial veins of Leg.

Various studies showed that Pain and hyperpigmentation at the site of varicosities are more in STS group. Skin necrosis is caused by both but is more in STS group (statistically insignificant). Polidocanol (POL) is safe than STS in term of complication.

Objectives of this study are to compare outcomes of STS and POL in terms of efficacy, complications and adverse events.