Necrotizing fasciitis after ambulatory phlebectomy performed with use of tumescent anesthesia.

The high cost of treatment of varicose veins has an important role in public health care. The search for a less expensive and office-based procedure led to introduction of tumescent local anesthesia for use in ambulatory phlebectomy. Although the overall infection rate is low, severe infection has been reported after liposuction with tumescent anesthesia. We report necrotizing fasciitis, an infection with a mortality rate of 30% to 50%, after ambulatory phlebectomy and stripping of the long saphenous vein with use of tumescent anesthesia.