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Background: Hernia repair is one of the most frequent procedures in surgery. The aim of this study is to compare Lichtenstein procedure and non-mesh suture repair of primary inguinal hernias with respect to quality of life.Methods: Between August 2000 and December 2003, 70 patients scheduled for repair of a unilateral primary inguinal hernia were prospectively evaluated by Short Form 36 (SF-36) to assess quality of life after 6 months of operation. Registrars under supervision of consultants did all operations.Results: Among 70 patients, 24 patients (34.2%) had undergone non-mesh suture repair and 46 patients (65.8%) had undergone Lichtenstein procedure. SF-36 questionnaire showed a signifi-cant difference in physical function, pain and global health parameters of the test in favour of the Lichtenstein procedure 6 months postoperatively.Conclusion: We conclude that long-term quality of life following Lichtenstein procedure is supe-rior to non-mesh suture repair in primary inguinal hernias.