Microfoam for the treatment of varicose veins is one of the most avant-garde treatments for eliminating these unsightly veins. Dr. Maya Gracia, a renowned specialist in vascular medicine and angiology, has positioned herself as one of the experts in microfoam treatment, actively participating as a speaker at conferences and teaching courses to teach the application of this technique to other specialists.
Why do varicose veins appear?
Varicose veins are a more common pathology than we think and affect up to 80% of the population, being more common in women. Many patients choose not to treat them, but it must be taken into account that they can trigger vascular complications such as, for example: ulcers, thrombosis, phlebitis or varicose hemorrhages, among others. The causes of its appearance can be very varied and, among the risk factors, include: family inheritance, pregnancy, hormonal treatments, overweight and the type of work carried out by the patient.
How are they treated?
The first thing is to make a good diagnosis. A venous Doppler ultrasound must be performed to determine whether these are superficial varicose veins or not. When they are superficial, they are treated with sclerotherapy in liquid form, foam, or both. And when it comes to internal varicose veins or saphenous trunks, these can be treated in the operating room with surgery or other techniques such as ultrasound-guided microfoam.
What is microfoam and how does it work?
Microfoam is a substance that has very interesting properties for eliminating varicose veins, both large and small. It allows you to “play” with the concentration of the product depending on the diameter of the vein to be treated. For this reason, it can be used to remove everything from a small spider vein to the largest malformations.
Prior to treatment, it is necessary to perform, in addition to the venous Doppler ultrasound, a physical examination and question the patient to see if there are contraindications.
What is ultrasound-guided microfoam treatment?
Ultrasound-guided microfoam treatment involves injecting a solution under ultrasound control into the varicose vein. The injected microfoam triggers a reaction that eliminates the varicose vein, and the blood is redistributed in the properly functioning venous system. It is a completely outpatient technique that does not require anesthesia and the patient can carry out their activities immediately after the treatment.
Currently, new generation ultrasound machines allow us to visualize very small veins. This represents a novelty in this treatment, since we can use ultrasound-guided sclerosis also in small varicose veins, increasing the safety of the technique and significantly reducing its side effects. It is important to consult an expert so that he can study the case and carry out the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
