【Abstract】Objective To investigate the effects of tension-free herniorrhaphy on endocrine functions of patients with inguinal hernia. MethodsOne hundred and twenty-seven patients were randomly divided into tension-free group(n=65) and conventional group (n=62). The mean ages of tension-free group and conventional group were(51.8±14) year and(48.4±12) year respectively. There were 52 indirect hernias and 13 direct hernias in tension-free group. There were 51 indirect hernias and 11 direct hernias in conventional group. Bassini repair was used in conventional group. Peripheral blood samples were obtained preoperatively and 3 h, 24 h after operation for measuring the levels of cortisol, T3, TSH, insuline, Cpeptide and and glucose. The data were analysed through t test. ResultsThe levels of cortisol, C-peptide and glucose in conventional group were remarkably higher (P6”0.05) while the levels of T3,TSH were notably lower (P＜0.05) than those in tension-free group at 3 h, 24 h postoperatively, the level of insulin in conventional group was significantly higher than that in tension-free group at 24 h postoperatively. ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that tension-free repair imposes less influence on the endocrine functions of patients with inguinal hernia postoperatively than conventional repair does. This might explain pathophysiologically the quick recovery of the patients receiving tension-free herniorrhaphy.