From the Research
Cyanoacrylate glue for treating venous insufficiency can cause several complications, including phlebitis, hypersensitivity, foreign body granuloma, and endovenous glue-induced thrombosis, as reported in a systematic review published in 2023 1. The most common complications of cyanoacrylate glue treatment for venous insufficiency include:
- Phlebitis, which presents as inflammation along the treated vein
- Hypersensitivity reactions to the cyanoacrylate adhesive
- Foreign body granuloma
- Endovenous glue-induced thrombosis These complications are generally rare and can be managed with appropriate treatment, such as anti-inflammatory medications for phlebitis. It is essential to weigh these potential complications against the benefits of cyanoacrylate glue treatment, which includes a non-tumescent, non-thermal technique that allows immediate return to normal activities without compression stockings, as demonstrated in a prospective comparative study published in 2016 2. Additionally, a case report published in 2020 highlighted the risk of cyanoacrylate glue embolization, which can lead to extravasation and chronic foreign body reaction, necessitating surgical intervention 3. Other studies have also reported on the efficacy and safety of cyanoacrylate adhesive embolization and sclerotherapy for the treatment of primary varicose veins, with a technical success rate of 100% and a saphenous vein closure rate of 96.5% at one year 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study, published in 2023, provides the most comprehensive overview of the complications associated with cyanoacrylate glue treatment for venous insufficiency, and its findings should be prioritized when considering the potential risks and benefits of this treatment option 1.