Xiangzhen Meng, Tao Wang, Yiran Liu, Shaohua Liu, Anwei Chen
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.
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.