In 1992-1994 laparoscopic hernioplasty was performed in 403 patients with inguinal (371) and femoral (32) hernias. Mean duration of hospital-stay 2.3 days, period of incapacity 9.7 days. Complication were encountered in 25 (3.7%) patients, including perforation of the small intestine and commissural ileus for which laparotomy had to be performed. Recurrent hernias occurred in 7 (1.7%) patients in periods of 2 weeks to 1.5 month due to poor fixation of the implant and choice of an inadequate operative method.