Nyborg 1999.

Methods	The patients were randomised by a blind envelope system. The allocation was provided by an independent consultant using computer‐generated random numbers.
Participants	All male patients between 18 and 75 years of age with a primary unilateral hernia referred for elective surgery were eligible for entry into the study. Patients with irreducible hernias and those who were unfit for general anaesthesia were excluded.
Interventions	Laparoscopic versus open non‐mesh inguinal herniorrhaphy. Laparoscopic group: (n=138) repair performed by the TAPP technique. All patients were given general anaesthesia. Open group: (n=130) repair performed by a modified Shouldice technique. Patients were given either spinal or general anaesthesia.
Outcomes	Included data items: Operation time (minutes) Conversions Postoperative complications Hospital stay (days) Time to return to normal activities (days) Hernia recurrence Other data items: Use of analgesia
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Low risk	A ‐ Adequate