Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure that is used for the treatment of varicose veins and spider veins. It is a minimally invasive surgery in which a solution, such as sodium chloride, is injected into the veins concerned. The solution causes swelling in the lining of the vessel and leads to clotting of the blood. After some time, the vessel becomes scar tissue and then disappears. Although it has been widely used since the 1930s, sclerotherapy has its own complications.
Matting
Plastic Surgery Advisor states that matting can result as a complication of sclerotherapy. In this condition, the varicose veins appear to clump together. This causes them to become more visible beneath the skin.
Skin Necrosis
Another complication of sclerotherapy is skin necrosis, reports Plastic Surgery Advisor. It goes onto say that removal of the veins can lead to not enough oxygen reaching the other tissues around the area. These tissues then tend to die, and this is referred as skin necrosis.
Hirsutism
Surgery Encyclopedia reports that hirsutism is a complication of sclerotherapy. In this condition, abnormal growth of hair is seen on the area after several months. Hypertrichosis is another name of this condition.
Other Complications
Ulceration of the skin is also a complication of sclerotherapy, reports Surgery Encyclopedia. Excessively strong sclerosing solutions, poor technique in performing the procedure and problems in the blood vessels can cause ulcers at the site of injection. Cleveland Clinic states that an individual may suffer from allergic reactions to the solution or the sclerosing agent. The legs of the individual may suddenly become swollen as a possible side effect of the procedure. Inflammation may also occur within five inches of the groin area, and there may be a red discoloration in the same area. Plastic Surgery Advisor says that sclerotherapy results for the affected veins are usually permanent; however, the individual may still develop new varicose or spider veins. There may be also brownish spots or discoloration in the skin at the injection site.
