The therapy of varicose veins of the lower limbs has classically been carried out with surgery and sclerotherapy, depending on vessel diameter. However, the association of techniques is frequently necessary to assure a good result. The use of physical procedures to promote occlusion of varicose veins was firstly attempted in the 1950s. There are different physical principles and effects based on different technological levels. Electrocoagulation, laser, intense pulsed light, endovascular cryosclerosis, ultrasound and microwave are physical sources potentially useful for this condition. Unfortunately, these technologies are not wide available outside research centers, with a few exceptions, and their role in clinical practice still needs to be defined. This paper aims to describe the physical procedures currently used or potentially useful for the therapy of varicose veins.
Varicose veins; laser; ultrasound; microwave; electrocoagulation; radiofrequency; therapy; telangiectasias
