Mid-term clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for the below-knee segment of the great saphenous vein with valvular insufficiency

ObjectivesThis study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) in patients with lower limb symptoms and pathological reflux localized to the great saphenous vein (GSV) below the knee.MethodsThis study is a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with valve dysfunction limited to the area below the knee of the GSV who underwent UGFS with physician-compounded sclerosing foam between March 2014 and March 2024. Patients who did not have duplex ultrasonography follow-up after UGFS were excluded.ResultsA total of 49 patients (53 lower limbs) were included in the study, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 1:1.8. The mean age was 53 years (26-84 years), and the mean body mass index was 23.5 kg/m². The distribution of clinical-etiological-anatomical-pathophysiological clinical class was C0 in 11 patients, C1 in 17 patients, C2 in 23 patients, C4a in 1 patient, and C6 in 1 patient. The mean follow-up was 23 months. There were three cases of thrombophlebitis after the procedure, and no major complications. Recanalization with reflux was noted in 3 of 53 lower limbs (5.7%). None of the patients with recanalized lower limbs complained of lower limb symptoms.ConclusionsUGFS performed on the below-knee segment of the GSV appears to be associated with a low rate of complications and a favorable mid-term recanalization profile.