The physician will determine the number of varicose veins that are injected within one session. This will depend upon the size and location of the veins as well as the patient’s overall medical condition and willingness to be compliant following the procedure. If a larger vein is being injected, the sclerotherapy can cause cramping sensation for about one to two minutes. The procedure itself usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes.
Sclerotherapy has been in use since the 1930s because it is very successful. It is estimated that as many as 50% to 80% of those veins which are injected will be eliminated in that injections session. Less than 10% of the individuals who have sclerotherapy will not respond at all and in these instances a different solution or a different method may be tried.