[Varicose vein operation under inpatient conditions]

The change of surgical operations from inpatient to outpatient conditions as a method of lowering costs in health care has lead to a significant rise in the number of outpatient operations, especially in varicose vein surgery. Hospitalisation is still required in special cases. The criteria of 146 patients with varicose veins for admittance to inpatient treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical findings, the designated operation and the specific personal factors were assessed. We found in just under 70% of the patients the indication for hospital admittance whereas in slightly over 30% the outpatient management was ascertained. Through this selection the total number of inpatients could be reduced, leading on the other hand to a relative increase in the number of difficult cases with more severe conditions requiring more complex management.