[Ambulatory saphenectomy: 80 operated cases using tumescent anesthesia]

The authors describe their experience with local tumescent anaesthesia with lidocaine and bupivacaine in 80 cases of saphenous stripping. The method is discussed thoroughly and provides: 1) good anaesthesia throughout surgery, requiring only brief propofol sedation in 55 patients with large-volume legs; 2) less bleeding during and after surgery in all patients, with visual evaluation of ecchymoses at 3 and 7 days; 3) good postsurgical analgesia without functional impairment in all patients. These are real advantages in the ambulatory and day-hospital surgery settings, inasmuch as the scheduled discharge time is not modified. Local tumescent anaesthesia proves to be a simple, easy technique, with good patient compliance; it is appreciated by the surgeon on account of its technical advantages and is helpful in the organization of modern surgical departments.