This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

The objective of this review is to compare the efficacy of an open preperitoneal mesh repair via either posterior or anterior approach with the Lichtenstein technique. Efficacy will be considered the absence of chronic pain after at least 3 months of follow‐up. Chronic pain is defined as a reported VAS score >40 on a scale of 100.