The authors present a case of intestinal obstruction after a transabdominal laparoscopic hernia repair, due to bowel entrapment through a not perfectly closed peritoneum. With the tremendous success of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a laparoscopic approach to inguinal hernias seemed feasible and logical. The transabdominal preperitoneal and the totally extraperitoneal hernia repair, both using a prosthesis, are based on the same principles as the classical tension-free repair. The authors have experience with both new procedures. The case report illustrates a major complication after a transabdominal laparoscopic repair in a consecutive series of 40 patients. This was the reason why the transabdominal approach in our department is replaced by the totally extraperitoneal approach.