Treatment of varicose veins by compression sclerotherapy.

Treatment by compression sclerotherapy was carried out in 80 legs with symptomatic varicose veins. Excellent results were achieved initially in 60 legs, and there was improvement after retreatment of an additional six, for a total of 66 legs. In the remaining 14 legs, there was partial, but considerable, improvement. There were no major complications. Treatment of varicose veins does not necessarily have to be operative. Compression sclerotherapy should be recognized more widely as an acceptable primary treatment aimed at improving local hemodynamics rather than stripping of a vein with good potential for recovery. With the appropriate, not haphazard, use of sclerosing solutions combined with prolonged compression, excellent results usually can be achieved.