Ref (type)	Population	Outcome, Interventions	Results and statistical analysis	Effect size	Favours
Pain
RCT	720 men; 619 unilateral, 77 recurrent	Proportion of people with pain that limited normal activities at 2 years 2.21% with open mesh repair 5.07% with expectant management	Risk difference (RD) 2.88% 95% CI –0.04% to +5.77% P = 0.52 See further information on studies for discussion of generalisability of results		Not significant
RCT	160 men; 147 unilateral, 4 recurrent	Pain (assessed by visual analogue score [VAS]) at rest at 6 months with open mesh repair with expectant management	Difference in proportions +7% 95% CI –8 to +22% P = 0.42 See further information on studies for discussion of generalisability of results		Not significant
RCT	160 men; 147 unilateral, 4 recurrent	Pain (assessed by VAS) on movement at 6 months with open mesh repair with expectant management	Difference in proportions +11% 95% CI –5 to +26% P = 0.20 See further information on studies for discussion of generalisability of results		Not significant
RCT	160 men; 147 unilateral, 4 recurrent	Pain (assessed by VAS) at rest at 12 months with open mesh repair with expectant management	Difference in proportions –2% 95% CI –17 to +12% P = 0.86 See further information on studies for discussion of generalisability of results		Not significant
RCT	160 men; 147 unilateral, 4 recurrent	Pain (assessed by VAS) on movement at 12 months with open mesh repair with expectant management	Difference in proportions +8% 95% CI –7 to +23% P = 0.31 See further information on studies for discussion of generalisability of results		Not significant