Comparative trial between sodium tetradecyl sulfate and glycerin in the treatment of telangiectatic leg veins.

BACKGROUND: Thirteen patients were treated with either sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) or glycerin to compare the efficacy and adverse sequelae of each agent.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative safety and efficacy of two sclerosant solutions.

METHODS: Each patient's leg veins that were from 0.2 to 0.4 mm in diameter and that did not have incompetence from the saphenofemoral junction and whose feeding reticular veins had been already treated in a prior sclerotherapy session were randomly treated with either 0.25% STS or 72% glycerin solution. Patients were evaluated from 2 to 6 months postsclerotherapy for overall clinical improvement and incidence of adverse sequelae.

RESULTS: Glycerin was comparable to STS in discomfort of injection but demonstrated a significant decrease in bruising, swelling, and postprocedural hyperpigmentation. Glycerin also demonstrated a better, more rapid clearance of treated telangiectasias.

CONCLUSIONS: Seventy-two percent glycerin is a safe and effective sclerosant with fewer side effects and more rapid clearance of telangiectatic leg veins than STS.