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For those unfamiliar, Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure that treats varicose veins and spider veins, usually on the legs. A healthcare provider uses a needle to inject a special solution into varicose vein or spider vein. This chemical solution irritates the blood vessel lining, making it expand, stick together and form a scar. This closes off the vein, making it look and feel better.-Cleveland Clinic
Reticular and spider veins impact up to 80 percent of men and 85 percent of women in the US. Additionally, about a quarter of US adults suffer from varicose veins, which may progress to severe venous insufficiency and ulceration.
A sedentary lifestyle, smoking, obesity, pregnancy, and advanced age increase the risk of vein diseases and certain individuals are also genetically predisposed. Without treatment, the effects can range from merely cosmetic to a painful problem that significantly impacts quality of life.
The popularity of vein clinics has boomed in recent decades, but sclerotherapy treatment is nothing new. Early attempts were documented back in the 1930s. During that time, injecting enlarged capillaries was an ineffective and dangerous prospect, leading to necrosis, pigmentation, and allergic reactions.
Eventually, physicians refined sclerotherapy techniques with smaller needles, better sanitation procedures, and more effective injectable foams and solutions.
In today’s busy vein therapy market, choosing proper devices may help lead to better patient outcomes. Here are the features to keep in mind when shopping for the best sclerotherapy injection needles and syringes.
Small varicose veins and spider veins are ideal for sclerotherapy. However, treating such tiny vessels requires a precise, sharp needle that’s rigid enough to avoid bending beyond the target area. As a result, some practitioners recommend sclerotherapy needles that are 30g-33g and 0.5 inches or shorter to limit flexibility. They also advise changing needles promptly if you suspect dullness or friction. Some Sclerosing agents such as Asclera suggest using 0.1 to 0.3ml per injection and no more than 10ml per session using a plastic or glass syringe along with a fine needle (26g-30g).
Some clinicians prefer to administer foam during sclerotherapy instead of liquid when treating larger varicose veins. One method involves mixing sodium tetradecyl sulfate with air or gas between two syringes. The mixture is passed through syringes multiple times to produce foam. Foam treatments may be sensitive to silicone oil found commonly in 3-part syringes. For this reason, drugs like Varithena® use a 2-part syringe [The Difference Between a 2-Part and 3-Part Syringe].
Professor Mark Whiteley-Patel writes, “The longevity of foam made using sodium tetradecyl sulfate and gas (air or a CO2:O2 mixture) is increased significantly if silicone-free syringes are used over the normal syringes containing silicone oil lubrication.” Varithena® (polidocanol injectable foam) is another Sclerosing agent and is indicated for treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins, accessory saphenous veins, and visible varicosities of the great saphenous vein (GSV) system above and below the knee. The Varithena® instructions for use also recommend using silicone-free syringes such as the NORM-JECT ® and Henke-Ject® brand.
The 2-Part Luer Slip Syringes are available for sclerotherapy providers. Not only are these syringes silicone-free, but they also don’t contain latex, rubber, styrene, or DEHP. In addition, the 2-Part Luer Slip Syringes are manufactured using laboratory-grade polypropylene and polyethylene, making them more chemically resistant than rubber-tipped varieties. These syringes are conveniently packaged in individual sterile strips. The sizes range from 1ml (with a low dead space plunger) to 20ml. 2-Part Luer Lock Syringes are also available in sizes ranging from 3ml to 20ml.
Air-Tite also offers a variety of 3-part Luer Slip and Luer Lock Syringes. Exel International Luer Slip syringes and Luer Lock syringes are latex free, sterile, non-pyrogenic and range in size from 1ml (with a low dead space plunger) to 50ml. HSW HENKE-JECT Luer Slip and HSW HENKE-JECT Luer Lock syringe are also another great option.
If you are searching for needles for your application, Air-Tite Products also offers a wide variety of needle options that may fit your Sclerotherapy needs. You can find these various needle sizes, lengths and options on our webpage that include EZ FLO Needles (18g-30g), HSW HENKE-JECT Hypodermic Needles (15g-30g), TSK STERIJECT™ Hypodermic Needles (27g-33g), JBP ULTRA-THIN WALL NANONEEDLES (30g-34g) and EXEL INTERNATIONAL Hypodermic Needles(18g-32g).
At Air-Tite, we carry a wide selection of both needles and syringes to meet your Sclerotherapy needs. Click below to see which products are right for your practice.
Most product options are available through a wide range of national distribution partners. Please contact us for cross-reference information.
