SCUR 1999.

Methods	Randomisation was computer‐generated in blocks of six and distributed to each centre. Patients were randomised at each centre by opening consecutively numbered sealed envelopes.
Participants	613 male patients aged 40‐75 years, healthy, with a unilateral or first‐recurrence inguinal hernia. Exclusion criteria included irreducible hernias or those requiring emergency surgery, bilateral hernias, more than one recurrence, earlier surgery with mesh in the same groin, patients with complications resulting in ASA 3 or 4, contraindications to laparoscopic hernia repair and giant hernia.
Interventions	Laparoscopic versus open mesh versus open non‐mesh inguinal herniorrhaphy. Laparoscopic group: (n=unclear) repair performed by the TAPP technique. Open non‐mesh: (n=unclear). repair performed by the techniques preferred by the surgeon. Open mesh: (n=unclear). repair performed using the preperitoneal approach.
Outcomes	Included data items: Operation time (minutes) Conversions Postoperative complications Hernia recurrence Time to return to full recovery (days) Other data items: Postoperative pain (day 7) Restriction of physical activities Sick leave (days) Cost estimation
Notes	Published abstract and full text available. The total numbers randomised to each group is unclear in the full text publication.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Unclear risk	B ‐ Unclear