title: A randomized comparison of physical performance following laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repair. The Coala Trial Group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Return to normal activity after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has been reported to occur sooner than after conventional repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a randomized study, the ability of patients to return to normal activity was assessed by measuring abdominal muscular performance with an exercise test. In addition, patients completed a questionnaire concerning activities of daily life (ADL) and were asked when they returned to normal activities. All patients were given similar instructions for resumption of activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who had a laparoscopic repair returned to normal activities sooner (6 versus 10 days; P = 0.0003). One week after operation, these patients were able to perform more repetitions of both exercise (14 versus two straight leg raises; 16 versus seven curled sit ups; both P < 0.0001) and their ADL scores were significantly better (89 versus 72; P = 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic hernia repair results in a quicker recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Liem
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: van der Graaf
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Zwart
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Geurts
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: van Vroonhoven
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome