Compression in the treatment of leg telangiectasia: theoretical considerations.

Unwanted leg veins are a common affliction of men and women. They may be either varicose and symptomatic or telangiectatic and of mostly cosmetic concern. Since patients wishing cosmetic improvement commonly present for treatment, one should utilize a technique that produces the least number of adverse sequelae. The use of compression in performing sclerosing treatment for varicose veins produces 5-year follow-up results similar to surgical treatments. This article presents theoretic reasons for advocating the use of compression in the treatment of all blood vessels, whether telangiectatic or varicose.