Objective:To evaluate the clinical safety and efficiency of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) for recurrent hernia, and to discuss the selection of procedures. Methods:From Jan.2003 to Dec.2006 in Ruijing Hospital,Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine,a nonrandomized control study was carried out on 58 patients with 63 recurrent inguinal hernias,including 30 LIHR for 27 patients and 33 open mesh repair (OMR) for 31 patients.All patients were followed up for 12~36 months with a median of 18 months. Results:There was no significant difference between LIHR and OMR when considering operating time (P=0.072),postoperative hospital stay (P=0.076),visual analogue pain scores (P=0.084) and time to return to usual activity (P=1.000).The cost in hospital of LIHR was significantly higher than OMR (P=0.000).There was no recurrence in either group and the total incidence rates of postoperative complications were 6.7% (2/30) and 9.1% (3/33) respectively in the two groups (P=1.000). Conclusion:LIHR and OMR are both safe and effective techniques for recurrent inguinal hernia.The choice of method should be based on previous repair type and surgeon’s experience.