Rapid healing of chronic venous ulcers following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy

Objective: To measure the short term response of venous ulcers in patients treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) at a two-week clinic in Honduras. Methods: Nine females (ages 25-86; mean 48.1 years) with 13 venous ulcers and saphenofemoral junction reflux were treated with UGFS (polidocanol 3% foam; 1-4 injections; 2-11 cc; Mean Volume 5.4 cc). The dimensions of each ulcer and of the great saphenous vein (GSV) were measured before treatment and one week later. Results: At one week follow-up 2 ulcers healed, 2 GSVs closed, and there was significant improvement in ulcer dimensions (p=0.00) and size of GSV (p=0.00). Conclusions: Venous ulcers in patients with serve venous insufficiency responded quickly to UGFS. Long-term follow-up will be important to determine the sustainability of these results.