[Inguinal hernia in adults. Usefulness and advantages of local anesthesia]

The use of local anaesthesia in the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia of the adult is described and personal experience reported. The clinical and social advantages with respect to narcosis and spinal anaesthetic are stressed. The rarity of general and local complications are underlined and the reasons discussed. Contraindications are outlined and more widespread use of local anaesthetic is recommended because of the beneficial economic effects.