THE CLINICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ETHANOLAMINE IN VARICOSE-VEINS

Objective: To study the histological changes in varicosities after inj ection of 5% ethanolamine. Design: A prospective study in nine groups of six patients awaiting bilateral varicose vein surgery. Patients: Ea ch patient had a below-knee incompetent perforating vein injected with either 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mi 5% ethanolamine. The contralateral varicosi ty received a similar volume of normal saline. Intervention: The patie nts wore elasticated stockings until admitted for operation at 2, 4 or 8 weeks after the injections. The injected varicosity was then dissec ted out. Main outcome measures: Each vein was reported on by a histolo gist who did not know which had received ethanolamine or saline. The h istologist graded each vein according to the severity of change from 0 (no effect) to 5 (total obliteration of vein). Results: Ethanolamine at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mi caused extensive histological damage to the var icosity. After 8 weeks most varicosities had been destroyed. Conclusio n: Ethanolamine, unlike sodium tetradecyl sulphate, causes complete de struction of a varicosity. A dose of 0.5 mi is just as effective as 2. 0 mi.