Applications of Polidocanol in Varicose Vein Treatment Assisted by Exposure to Nd:YAG Laser Radiation

Abstract

The understanding of the interaction between Polidocanol (POL) and the target veins tissues is important in utilizing it in varicose veins diseases treatment. Generally, the development of new drug delivery routes may represent methods to improve the efficacy and/or safety of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. With this respect, the treatment involving POL administration as foam has gained widespread use (Cavezzi and Tessari, 2009). Although the main approach in the treatment of small diameter veins, in venulectasias and reticular veins of less than 4 mm in diameter (class I/II and III) is sclerotherapy (Alos et al., 2006; Nijsten et. al., 2009; Parsi et al., 2007; Railan et al., 2006), lasers, especially the Nd:YAG laser, have shown interesting and non-negligible capabilities in treating these cases (Redondo and Cabrera, 2005; Santos et al., 2008; Trelles et al., 2005). Clinical experimental results prove that the exposure of the tissues impregnated with POL to laser radiation emitted at 1.06 ┤m improves the efficiency of the treatment (Moreno Moraga, n.d.).