A new procedure for inguinal hernia operations is described: the Thovara method, which is really a modified version of the plastic technique by Bassini-Kirschner-Lichtenstein. From 1985-1986 167 patients were operated on for inguinal hernia in our University Hospital, using this hernia plastic technique with a tension-free mesh. Though the rate of early complications is good, we should mention that there were 19 cases of testicle swelling. The number of early and late recurrences were very low: 2 cases (1.2%). Hospitalization averaged from 2 to 4 days. The procedure is easy to perform and almost painless.