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- $Unique_ID{BRK00692}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{What Are "Scleroid Injections"?}
- $Subject{varicose veins treatment injections special procedure procedures
- Circulatory arteries artery injection sclerotherapy vein}
- $Volume{P-4}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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-
- What Are "Scleroid Injections"?
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- QUESTION: With some horrible varicose veins to mar the "beauty" of my legs, I
- dread the coming of the summer season and wearing shorts. A friend has
- advised that I look into something called "scleroid injections". Do you know
- what she is referring to and will you please explain it to me?
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- ANSWER: While the terminology is slightly off, the suggestion has some merit.
- She is referring to "injection sclerotherapy," a procedure in which a liquid
- capable of damaging the tissue that lines the veins is injected directly into
- the vein. The physician will use one of many techniques to "empty" the vein
- first, and to be sure the injected liquid remains in the selected area.
- Immediately after the injection, compression bandages will be put into place
- to assure that the walls of the injected vein are held together, so that the
- healing process that follows the injury provoked by the injection will seal
- the vein and collapse the varicosity. Since the secret of the success of this
- procedure is that the vein be completely obliterated by the fibrotic tissue
- produced during healing, your leg will have to remain in compression bandages
- for three weeks or more. You will be encouraged to continue to walk about as
- much as possible, to help circulate your blood through the leg normally. One
- other caution. If you presently take birth control pills, you will have to do
- without them for at least 6 weeks before the injection, as they may possibly
- lead to the formation of undesired blood clots. Since there are other
- considerations, discuss the procedure at length with your surgeon before
- proceeding.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-