Effect of Multiple Factors on Foam Stability in Foam Sclerotherapy.

Foam sclerotherapy is a widely used treatment for varicose veins. However, complications caused by poor foam stability still remain. Most studies ignore multiple influencing factors and only study a single factor. Furthermore, a stable foam preparation using different preparation conditions has not been developed. This study aimed to explore the changing laws of foam stability under multifactorial conditions, and to determine the influence of various factors and optimal preparation conditions on the half-life of foam. A two-level orthogonal test was conducted using four factors (syringe size, surfactant, preparation temperature, and pump speed). Classifications were established as follows: syringe sizes, 2.5 mL and 5 mL; surfactant concentrations, 6% and 0%; preparation temperatures, 20 °C and 10 °C; and pump speeds, 250 mm/s and 125 mm/s, respectively. Eight experimental group (EG) multi-factor combinations were tested. Half-life and drainage time were recorded for analysis. The initial drainage time was within 200 s, but the difference between the groups was also about 200 s. The drainage rate curves of all EGs gradually increased over time. Conversely, the foam half-life extended by about 10 times for the four factors. In addition, the analyses revealed that the order of influence was surfactant >temperature >pump speed >syringe size. The most stable foam preparation was determined. Syringe size, surfactant, temperature, and pump speed had markedly observable influences on foam half-life. A combination of multiple factors can be used to prepare a more stable foam in clinical scenarios and to suitably superimpose favorable conditions to avoid unfavorable conditions.

Studies on Foam Decay Trend and Influence of Temperature Jump on Foam Stability in Sclerotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the influence of temperature jump and liquid-gas ratio on foam stability to derive the foam-decay law. METHODS: The experimental group conditions were as follows: mutation temperatures (10°C, 16°C, 20°C, 23°C, 25°C, and 27°C to >37°C) and liquid-gas ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4). The control group conditions were as follows: temperatures (10°C, 16°C, 20°C, 23°C, 25°C and 27°C) and liquid-gas ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4). A homemade device manufactured using the Tessari DSS method was used to prepare the foam. The decay process was videotape recorded. In the drainage rate curve, the temperature rose, and the liquid-gas ratio varied from 1:1 to 1:4, causing faster decay. RESULTS: In the entire process, the foam volume decreased with increasing drainage rate. The relationships were almost linear. Comparison of the experimental and control groups shows that the temperature jump results in a drainage time range of 1 to 15 seconds. The half-life ranges from 10 to 30 seconds. The maximum rate is 18.85%. Changes in the preparation temperature yields a drainage time range of 3 to 30 seconds. The half-life varies from 20 to 60 seconds. CONCLUSION: Decreasing the temperature jump range and liquid-gas ratio gradually enhances the foam stability. The foam decay time and drainage rate exhibit an exponential function distribution.