Objective To study the efficiency of iaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair without the use of a mesh. Methods We used laparoscopic hernia repair without the use of a mesh in 92 cases of inguinal hernia. Results were compared with that of total extraperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty(TEP) in 91 cases from January 2001 to March 2004. Results The laparoscopic procedures were successfully performed in all the patients. In mesh-free and TEP group respectively the operating time was (21±4) min vs. (70±16) min (t=28. 01, P<0.05), hospital stay was (3.5±1.0) d vs. (4.8±1.2) d (t=7.96, P<0.05), average time off-bed was (1.0±0.5) d vs. (1.8±0.7) d (t=8.90, P<0.05), duration of pain was (1.0±0.5) d vs. (2.5±0.7) d (t=16.69, P<0.05), the expense was (4500±500) RMB yuan vs. (8000±820) RM B yuan(t=34.89, P<0.05), subcutaneous hematoma rate was 0% vs. 8.7% (χ~2=6.48, P<0.05). The 48 hour C-reaction protein level after the operation was (3.9±0.3) mg/dl and (8.8±0.5) mg/dl (t=80.48, P<0.05). All the difference was statistically significant between the two groups. All patients were followed up for 56.9±6.2 months. The recurrence rate was 0 and 2.1% (χ~2=0.51,P>0.05) respectively. Conclusions Mesh-free laparoseopie inguinal hernia repair is safe, cost-effective, as well as of much lower hernia recurrence.