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Spider veins (sunburst varicosities or telangiectasia) are tiny vessels that proliferate from a central vessel, causing the spider pattern. Forms of treatment include electrodesiccation (electrical coagulation), sclerotherapy (injection with hypertonic saline, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, or polidocanol), and lasers (Nd:YAG 1064 nm for deeper vessels, alexandrite 755 nm or diode 800nm for reticular vessels, and PDL 585 nm for superficial vessels).
Varicose veins are characterized by larger, darker, and deeper bulging vessels due to incompetence of venous valves. Isolated varicosities may be amenable to sclerotherapy. Large or extensive true varicosities are best treated surgically by direct excision or with intraluminal radiofrequency ablation through venous interventional procedures.
All of the descriptions for the various procedures are condensed from the text of the upcoming textbook written by Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Malcolm Marks and are copyrighted, "The Artistry of Plastic Surgery: Exploring the Experience” . |
