For repair of inguinal hernia, standard open mesh repair methods were used. For anaesthesia, local infiltration with lidocaine (10 mg/ml) and light intravenous sedation with propofol and fentanyl were primarily used. Reasons for choosing spinal or general anaesthesia were registered. For postoperative pain relief bupivacaine (5mg/ml) 10 ml was infiltered into the wound and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (NSAID) and paracetamol combined with codeine were prescribed, when suitable. Day-case patients were discharged home according to commonly approved criteria. Inpatients stayed on the hospital ward overnight. All patients received the same preoperative and postoperative instructions orally and in writing. Physical activity was not restricted after the operation, and patients were encouraged to resume to normal life as soon as possible.