Sclerosants

BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy is popular for the treatment of lower extremity telangiectasias and varicose and reticular veins. Although a large number of sclerosants are commonly employed, there are few data that directly compare their advantages and drawbacks. OBJECTIVES: To analyze and present the differences between sclerosants that make them more or less suitable agents in specific clinical applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systemic review of published medical literature that compares and contrasts different classes of sclerosants is presented. RESULTS: There is no perfect sclerosant that is complication free and 100% effective. The ability to match the sclerosant to the clinical problem being approached makes the availability of more Food and Drug Administration-approved sclerosants appealing. CONCLUSION: Modern sclerosants that have been subjected to rigorous experimental and clinical trials will provide even more efficacious and safer patient treatments.