5 Recommendations for further research

5.1 The Institute recommends that further trials be undertaken to evaluate the utility of individuals undergoing laparoscopic surgery at 1 year and longer follow-up (where possible, up to 25 years) to provide long-term data on the cost effectiveness of this technique.

5.2 The issue of chronic pain and numbness after inguinal hernia repair should be addressed prospectively in future studies, using standard definitions to allow for assessment of the degree of pain.

5.3 It is recommended that a registry be set up to monitor the incidence of serious adverse events (specifically the rates of visceral and vascular injury) associated with laparoscopic hernia repair and recurrence rates.