Endovascular techniques for superficial vein ablation in treatment of venous ulcers
This chapter discusses the endovascular techniques for superficial vein ablation in treatment of venous ulcers. The advent of endovenous therapies for superficial venous reflux is rendering older surgical therapies obsolete. The role of endovenous therapy in the treatment of venous ulceration is evolving. There is evidence that surgical stripping has aided in the treatment of venous ulceration, but the morbidity of the surgery may be too much for many patients to tolerate in addition to the pre-existing ulcerations. The three endovenous ablative techniques have demonstrated short- and long-term success rates equivalent to or surpassing those of surgical vein stripping while reducing recovery time and complication rates. The most efficacious of these methods may be foam sclerotherapy with lower extremity elevation. This will combine ablation of the more proximal superficial system with direct ablation of the vessels at the site of venous ulceration without additional insult to the regional integumentary system.
