Effect of Mesh on Foam Stability in Foam Preparation for Sclerotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Foam sclerotherapy is effective for venous malformations, but the stability of physician-compounded foam is crucial. The effect of mesh pore size on stability remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how varying mesh pore sizes affect foam stability and bubble morphology.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Foam was prepared using a double syringe system with 1% Polidocanol (1:4 ratio). Six groups were tested: 1 control (no mesh) and 5 experimental groups with meshes (40-160 mesh). Foam half-life time (FHT) and bubble diameter were measured.

RESULTS

Meshes significantly increased FHT compared with the control ( p < .001). A smaller pore size correlated with longer FHT (up to 299 s) and smaller, more uniform bubbles (reduction of 44.95%-65.84% in diameter).

CONCLUSION

Integrating a mesh into the double syringe system enhances foam stability. Smaller pore sizes produce finer, more stable foam, suggesting 40 to 160 mesh as the optimal clinical range.