Study of the limits of local anaesthesia in one-day surgery in the case of 1500 strippings of the great saphenous vein

Abstract

An evaluative study over five years and 1500 great saphenous vein strippings under local anaesthesia in ambulatory surgery shows that today all these operations can be carried out under local anaesthesia (by femoral block and injection of lidocaine). Ninety per cent can be carried out in one-day surgery on condition that postoperative pain is reduced by using certain techniques (invagination stripping, phlebectomy with Muller hook), that operative risks (especially thromboembolic) are reduced, and that postoperative care at home is facilitated. Factors limiting ambulatory surgery are those of environment and the seriousness of the varicose veins.