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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2016, 19(2): 121-125en  Non-surgical intravascular approaches to the treatment of leg telangiectasias and varicose veinsMagdalena Wyszkowska-Kolatko 1/, Karolina Słoczyńska 1/, Mariusz Kózka 2/, Elżbieta Pękala 1/ 1/ Zakład Biochemii Farmaceutycznej, Wydział Farmaceutyczny Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego Collegium Medicum w Krakowie 2/ Oddział Chirurgii Naczyniowej Kliniki Chirurgii Ogólnej, 5 Wojskowy Szpital Kliniczny z Polikliniką Samodzielny Publiczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej w Krakowie Summary Telangiectatic and varicose leg veins represent common conditions associated with aesthetic and medical problems. Surgery is a conventional treatment for varicose veins, whereas sclerotherapy is an established method of telangiectasias management. There are, however, several alternative non-surgical intravascular treatment methods of lower extremity vascular lesions, including laser photocoagulation, radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser ablation. Moreover, due to technological advances conventional management techniques such as sclerotherapy and phlebectomy have evolved. Noteworthy, when choosing vascular lesions treatment strategy primarily vessel diameter and localization should be considered. The common feature of non-surgical intravascular treatment methods is the process leading to vessel wall damage resulting in fibrosis and clot formation. This is achieved by using special damaging agent (thermal, electrical, chemical, mechanical, or a combination of these), which is introduced into a target vein through a small puncture. Non-surgical minimally invasive techniques may prevent possible side effects and complications associated with the open surgery such as cutaneous neurosensory loss, hematoma, wound infection and deep vein thrombosis. Furthermore, these alternatives decrease the risk of infection and may provide shorter recovery periods. The present paper attempts to give a brief outline on non-surgical intravascular management of leg telangiectasias and varicose veins, with main indications, advantages and limitations of these methods being highlighted. Key words: laser photocoagulation, radiofrequency ablation, telangiectasias, varicose veins |