Ambulatory phlebectomy, first described by R. Muller in 1996, is now considered to be one of the major treatments of varicose veins, either alone or in combination with surgery and sclerotherapy. The first objective of this article is to recall the technique of ambulatory phlebectomy. The second objective is to specify the indications of this method based on the results of a prospective study started 5 years ago. In 1992, we performed 897 successive ambulatory phlebectomies. Inclusion criteria in this study were based on clinical findings and pulsed Doppler ultrasound. Patients were reviewed after one month, six months, then annually until 1996 (clinical examination and pulsed Doppler ultrasound). The results of the technique were analysed as a function of the varicose territory treated. In conclusion, ambulatory phlebectomy has traditional indications (non-saphenous varicose veins, varicose veins of the foot, external pudendal varicose veins). Ambulatory phlebectomy can also be used as treatment for saphenous varicose veins when the saphenofemoral junction is continent or absent or when the saphenous termination is simple.