A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Effect of a High-Potency Topical Corticosteroid After Sclerotherapy for Reticular and Telangiectatic Veins of the Lower Extremities.

BACKGROUND

Although typically mild, transient, and expected, most adverse events (AEs) postsclerotherapy are inflammatory in nature.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of a high-potency topical corticosteroid (TC) applied immediately postsclerotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects undergoing bilateral lower extremity sclerotherapy with polidocanol had extremities randomized to a single application of betamethasone dipropionate and placebo saline solutions immediately post-treatment in a double-blind manner. Adverse events were assessed for each extremity by subjects at t = 0 (preapplication) and t = 15 (15 minutes postapplication) and by an investigator at t = 0 and t = 15, and at Days 14 and 60. Subjects and investigator evaluated efficacy with a quartile improvement scale.

RESULTS

Sixteen female subjects completed the study. Subjects reported no statistically significant differences in AEs between TC and placebo at either t = 0 or t = 15. Investigator scores for erythema and swelling/urtication were not significantly different between groups at the same time points. Although most subjects demonstrated 26% to 75% improvement at Day 60, results were not significantly different between extremities on subject and investigator evaluation.

CONCLUSION

High-potency TC application immediately postsclerotherapy produced no statistically significant differences in subject- and investigator-assessed AEs and clearance rates compared with placebo. Foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol is safe and effective for the treatment of lower extremity reticular veins.