Contemporary management of incompetence of the small saphenous vein in the light of the recent results of the FOVELASS study.

The FOVELASS study, a randomised multicentre trial published this year by the French Society of Phlebology, confirms the technical superiority of endovenous laser over sclerosing foam in the treatment of small saphenous vein incompetence, over a 3-year follow-up. However, this study also validates the good clinical results of foam, equivalent to those of endovenous laser, already observed in other clinical studies on the great saphenous vein. Thermal ablation has therefore consolidated its leading position in the treatment of saphenous veins but depending on the anatomical configuration of the veins and the economic context, sclerosing foam, which is widely applicable, highly versatile, and cost-effective, may be an interesting alternative.

Sclerotherapy of lower limb veins: Indications, contraindications and treatment strategies to prevent complications - A consensus document of the International Union of Phlebology-2023.

Background: Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive procedure commonly used to treat superficial venous disease, vascular malformations and other ectatic vascular lesions. While extremely rare, sclerotherapy may be complicated by serious adverse events.

Objectives: To categorise contraindications to sclerotherapy based on the available scientific evidence.

FOVELASS: A Randomised Trial of Endovenous Laser Ablation Versus Polidocanol Foam for Small Saphenous Vein Incompetence.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) and endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) to treat isolated small saphenous vein (SSV) incompetence in a multicentre randomised controlled study (RCT; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05468450).

Methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years undergoing isolated SSV treatment (reflux > 0.