Laparoscopic techniques are fashionable, and in some situations are now used widely.
Repair of inguinal hernia is frequently carried out as a day-case procedure, so advantages of laparoscopic techniques are less likely to be apparent. Even so, results from well conducted RCTs examining a number of outcomes are welcome. Surgery was performed by four surgeons who were experienced laparoscopists, and the operations were carried out under general anaesthesia. Questionnaires were administered to the patients for the first 10 postoperative days, and at six weeks. Other outcomes were daily pain scores, a profile of health status, time to return to work, and resource consumption.