Laparoscopic preperitoneal prosthetic repair of inguinal and femoral hernias was done in 27 patients, including 18 indirect, nine direct, and two femoral hernias. In four patients bilateral hernias were repaired simultaneously. General anesthesia with endotracheal intubation was used in all patients. Three laparoscopic cannulas were inserted. The peritoneum overlying the internal inguinal ring and floor of Hesselbach's triangle was opened. If an indirect hernia sac was found, it was dissected off the cord structures. A polypropylene prosthesis was used to occlude any potential canal space and to reinforce the pelvic floor. No major operative complications or early recurrences (follow-up, 1-7 months) occurred. Patients were to return to full employment an average of 5 days after surgery (range, 3-7 days).