Mapperley Park Clinic

What are Varicofoam Injections?

Varicofoam is a form of sclerotherapy, or injection, used to remove varicose veins.

How does it work?
Using a special ultrasound machine (Duplex Scanner), Mr Braithwaite will identify the veins in the leg that have blood flowing in the wrong direction. ( Incompetent veins). With the use of local anaesthesia, Mr Braithwaite passes a small needle into the affected vein and injects a small amount of a chemical called a sclerosant. Before the injection, the chemical is mixed with air to form Varicofoam.

When the Varicofoam is inside the vein, it pushes the blood out of the way so that the sclerosant can treat the lining of the vein. Once treated, the vein is squashed using a combination of bandages and elasticated stockings.

How is Varicofoam different to standard surgery?
Firstly the procedure can be performed under local anaesthetic so those people treated with the technique can get up and walk immediately without the side effects or worries of a general anaesthetic.

There are no cuts or stitches so the risks of infection and bruising are much less than standard surgery.

As there is no general anaesthetic, the procedure is much cheaper than traditional surgery.

Is Varicofoam better than standard surgery?
We do not know if Varicofoam is better. Doctors normally want to know the results of scientific studies before they are happy that one treatment is better than another.

We do not know what the recurrence rates of varicose veins after Varicofoam injections are. Only time will tell. Varicofoam injections avoid general anaesthetics and have the same results as standard surgery after 6 months or so. People who have varicofoam injections tend to have small lumps in the area of the veins for longer than those who have traditional surgery.

Is everyone with varicose veins able to have Varicofoam?
No. Some people have large, numerous veins that are not suitable. Mr Braithwaite will be happy to discuss whether your veins are suitable for Varicofoam. About 75% of people with varicose veins are suitable for varicofoam.

Is Varicofoam all I need for my veins?
Varicofoam will remove the major superficial veins, including the LSV and anterior thigh veins. It is, however, usually necessary to have any fine veins injected with another technique known as sclerotherapy .

What are the advantages of Varicofoam?
Apart from the lack of any cuts in the groin or on the leg, there is minimal bruising of the leg and people can return to normal activities straight after treatment.

What is the catch?
Those who are treated with varicofoam need to wear bandages and a stocking for 5 days and then a stocking for 2 weeks. This means it is difficult to have a shower or bath for the first week. Wrapping the bandaged leg in cling film or in a bin liner can allow showering without wetting the leg and bandages.

After the treatment, it can take several months for the veins and bruising to disappear completely. Some people, especially those with large varicose veins, can get pain in the area treated caused by phlebitis. This can be treated with pain killers like Ibuprofen.

In about 10% of people the treatment does not remove all of the affected veins so further treatment may be necessary. As with all vein treatments, varicose veins can come back.

Patients with dark skin colour ( Afro-Caribbeans and some Asians) may develop dark stains where the varicose veins have been treated. The stain may not disappear. Mr Braithwaite would be happy to discuss this at the time of a consultation.

Will my insurance company pay for Varicofoam?
Most insurance companies do fund varicofoam treatment. Mr Braithwaite will be happy to discuss the situation with you as things change.

Can I get Varicofoam on the NHS?
Not yet. It is not clear if NHS patients can opt to pay for Varicofoam as an extra. The NHS will only pay for proven techniques that can be shown to have major advantages.

If you would like to have Varicofoam as an NHS patient then please make an enquiry to Mr Braithwaite at QMC.. If there is a demand, it may be possible to arrange the introduction of Varicofoam to the NHS. Nothing is guaranteed and the only option may be private treatment.

Are there likely to be any future problems if I have Varicofoam?
All patients who have varicose vein treatment have a chance of infection and recurrence of the veins. The only additional risk that may occur with Varicofoam is the development of a brown discolouration in the thigh where the LSV has been treated.

Are there any complications associated with Varicofoam?
All procedures carry some risks. The particular risks of Varicofoam are reactions to the injection which are very rare. It is possible that blistering of the skin can occur. There is a risk of Deep vein thrombosis ( DVT). Both of these can be avoided by the use of techniques that Mr Braithwaite will be happy to explain.

If you would like to see Mr Braithwaite as a Private Patient, please contact him at The Mapperley Park Clinic.

Are there any alternatives to Varicofoam?
Apart from conventional surgery, varicose veins can be treated with a technique called VNUS. .

It is also possible to use a technique using a laser to heat the blood in the long saphenous vein. The procedure, known as EVLT , can be performed entirely under local anaesthetic. The treatment helps with the aching of the legs associated with varicose veins but people still need to have the lumpy veins in the area of the calf removed. This can be by injection or removal under local anaesthesia.

EVLT is a new technique, approved by NICE but it is not widely available as an NHS treatment and long tern results are not known. Mr Braithwaite can arrange for EVLT treatment as part of a clinical trial he is conducting.

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