What is sclerotherapy primarily used for?

Sclerotherapy is primarily used for obliterating a vein by chemical means. This procedure involves injecting a sclerosing agent directly into the affected vein, which causes the vein to collapse and become occluded. The chemical irritates the lining of the blood vessel, leading to inflammation and scarring, effectively reducing or eliminating the appearance of varicose veins and spider veins.

This treatment is particularly advantageous for patients with superficial venous insufficiency, as it helps to manage symptoms such as pain, swelling, and aesthetic concerns without the need for surgical extraction or more invasive techniques. It is a minimally invasive alternative that allows for quicker recovery times and can typically be performed on an outpatient basis.

In contrast, the other procedures listed—such as extraction of the vein, high ligation and division, and interruption of perforating veins—refer to more invasive surgical techniques and do not encompass the chemical obliteration aspect that characterizes sclerotherapy.