Day Care Surgery of Varicose Veins in Elderly Patients

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and the acceptance of day care varicose veins surgery in elderly patients. Forty-six consecutive patients more than sixtyfive years old (51 legs) were operated on for varicose veins under locoregional anesthesia and day care stay: the interventions were 4 saphenectomies, 25 short strippings, 10 crossectomies (proximal saphenous ligation) of which 6 were with short saphenous removal, and 12 varicectomies and interruptions of perforator veins. All patients went home after five to six hours from operation and none required readmission to hospital. Complications were minimal and comprised 2 wound infections. Inquiry into the patients' opinions suggested that both local anesthesia and day care were very acceptable. In conclusion the day care phlebological surgery has been shown to be both safe and acceptable in selected elderly patients.