The Influence of Effective Analgesia and General Anaesthesia on Patients' Acceptance of Day Case Varicose Vein Surgery

Objective: To assess the efficacy of locoregional anaesthesia and non-opiate analgesia in controlling pain after varicose vein surgery. To examine patient attitudes to day case surgery for this condition. Design: Prospective single patient group study (22 consecutive patients). Setting: University College Hospital (Teaching Hospital). Intervention: Locoregional and general anaesthesia. Non-opiate analgesia. Surgical treatment for varicose Main outcome measures: Patient interview, pain scores, analgesia requirement. Result: Post operative Pain was absent in 36% during the first 24 hours. Oral analgesia was given to 36% as inpatients but only 18% after discharge. Before surgery, 95% would have preferred DCS but only 24% at six months. The after-effects of general anaesthesia was the main reason for this change in attitude. Conclusions: Patients would like day case surgery for varicose veins but anaesthesia and analgesia must be satisfactory.