ObjectiveTo evaluate optimal surgical timing of high ligation and ambulatory phlebectomy in treatment of primary great saphenous varicose vein. MethodsThe patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into simple varicose vein (C2) group and soft tissue complications (C3-C4) group.All the patients were received high ligation and ambulatory phlebectomy.The surgery-related indexes,hospital costs,improvement of quality of life,postoperative recurrence rate were observed. ResultsAll the operations were successful.The operative time,the number of operative incision,and the hospital costs in the C2 group were significantly less than those in the C3-C4 group (P<0.05).The total postoperative complications rate in the C2 group was significantly lower than that in the C3-C4 group (P<0.05).The postoperative AVVQ score on month 3 in the C2 group was significantly lower than that in the C3-C4 group (P<0.05).The postoperative recurrence rate on month 3 had no statistical significance between these two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionsEarly stage (C2) is the optimal surgical timing of primary great saphenous varicose vein,benefits of surgery and health economics in early stage are significantly better than those in mid-advanced stage (C3-C4).It is suggested that surgery should be underwent at early stage in patients with primary great saphenous varicose vein.