Surgical treatment such as, ligation (tying of a vein) and stripping ( removing a vein) were the commonly recognized treatments for varicose veins in the past. Today however, surgery is necessary in a low percentage of patients and is usually used for larger varicose veins. Varicose vein surgery is done in the Hospital under light general anesthesia and it consists of partial stripping of the vein-ambulatory phlebectomy. The patient is sent home to recover on the same day.