Outcomes and Side effects of Duplex‐Guided Sclerotherapy in the Treatment of Great Saphenous Veins with 1% versus 3% Polidocanol Foam: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial with 1‐Year Follow‐Up

BACKGROUND Eighty subjects were treated with either 1 or 3% polidocanol foam to compare the efficacy and adverse sequelae of each concentration of polidocanol foam. OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the effects of two different concentrations of polidocanol foam. MATERIAL AND METHODS During a 6‐month period, we treated 80 consecutive patients with primary incompetent great saphenous veins in combination with saphenofemoral junction incompetence. These patients were treated with foam of either 1 or 3% polidocanol. Duplex analyses were made before treatment and in follow‐up visits to determine the presence or absence of reflux. RESULTS After 1 year, there was a clinically relevant difference in percentage of patients with occlusion of the treated great saphenous vein between both groups: 69.5% in the 1% foam group versus 80.1% in the 3% foam group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=.249). After 1 year of follow‐up, patients in the 3% polidocanol group noticed a larger cosmetic improvement than patients in the 1% group. CONCLUSIONS In the treatment of primary incompetent greater saphenous veins, 3% polidocanol foam seems to be more effective than 1% polidocanol foam. The side effects were approximately similar in both groups.