An investigation into the influence of various gases and concentrations of sclerosants on foam stability.

Jennifer D Peterson, Mitchel P Goldman

Dermatology Cosmetic Laser Associates of La Jolla, La Jolla, California, USA.

Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] 2011 Jan

filter terms:

Foam sclerotherapy is an increasingly popular modality in varicose vein treatment. Our previous work showed that the half-life of room air foam varied according to the percentage and type of sclerosant solution. A plastic connector was used to create foam made from a combination of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) and room air, carbon dioxide (CO(2)), oxygen (O(2)), or a mixture of CO(2) and O(2). To measure foam stability, the foam half-life was defined as the time it took for half the original volume of sclerosing solution to settle. Half-life varied according to sclerosant concentration when room air, O(2), or a mixture of CO(2) and O(2) was used for foam creation but not when CO(2) was used. Room air foam is more than 3 times as stable as CO(2) foam and 1.5 times as stable as a mixture of CO(2) and O(2). CO(2) foam half-life did not vary according to sclerosant solution concentration, though room air, O(2) , and CO(2)/O(2) did. The half-life of room air foam is more than 3 times as long as that of CO(2) and 1.5 times as long as that of a mixture of CO(2) and O(2). Foam half-life for room air and O(2) are similar at low concentrations of STS but differ at higher concentrations. © 2010 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.

Citation

Jennifer D Peterson, Mitchel P Goldman. An investigation into the influence of various gases and concentrations of sclerosants on foam stability. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]. 2011 Jan;37(1):12-7