ABSTRACT
Patient fear is normal and should be treated with comprehension and
support. Comparing it to the common fear of the dentist is pertinent.
Surgeons must be firm in their ideas, but also reassuring in order to
obtain and maintain the patient’s confidence. The latter is easier to obtain if
the patient has already been treated (i.e., for leg ulcer or phlebitis), or if a rela-
tive or friend has described phlebectomy in positive terms. It is important to
explain in detail with simple words what will be done and why it should be
done. One should not deny or minimize some inconveniences (bandaging, dis-
comfort), but explain that these are largely overweighed by the benefits of the
procedure.
