title: [Inguinal hernia repair: results of randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses].
abstract: This evidence-based review of the literature aims to answer two questions regarding inguinal hernia repair: 1. should a prosthetic patch be used routinely? 2. Which approach is better - laparoscopic or open surgery? After a comprehensive search of electronic databases we retained only meta-analyses (n=14) and/or randomised clinical trials (n=4). Review of this literature suggests with a good level of evidence that prosthetic hernia repair is the gold standard; the laparoscopic approach has very few proven benefits and may involve more serious complications when performed outside expert centers. The role of laparoscopy for the repair of bilateral or recurrent hernias needs better evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie digestive, Hôtel-Dieu CHU Clermont-Ferrand - Clermont-Ferrand. kslim@chu-clermontferrand.fr
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Slim
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vons
mesh_terms: D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013526:Surgical Mesh