BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy of telangiectasias and reticular leg veins can be unpleasant and painful for some patients.
OBJECTIVE: To determine pain level with two different sclerotherapy techniques in a prospective randomized trial.
METHODS: Patients with symmetrical telangiectasias and reticular veins on both legs (C(1A) or (S)E(P)A(S)P(N1) were randomized to the standard (successive injections of chromated glycerin mixed with one-third lidocaine-epinephrine 1%) or two-step technique (first treating only reticular veins with a single injection at the base of each cluster of telangiectasias and then successively injecting all remaining telangiectasias a few minutes later. Pain was assessed using a 100-point visual analogue scale (0 = no pain, 100 = maximum pain).
RESULTS: Data from 53 consecutive patients could be evaluated. The two-step technique was significantly less painful (28.2) than the standard technique (40.6, p < .001).
CONCLUSION: The two-step technique with chromated glycerin mixed with one-third lidocaine-epinephrine 1% significantly reduces sclerotherapy pain. This may be a useful technique for patients who are particularly sensitive or afraid of sclerotherapy.