BACKGROUND The high rate of misdiagnosed, coincident, or recurrent femoral hernias while or after mesh herniorrhaphy suggests its systematic search. We introduced a new open anterior tension-free mesh herniorrhaphy with a novel design. METHODS A description of the operative technique and patients demographics is presented. RESULTS Two hundred sixty-eight hernias were repaired with this technique in a 5-year period. Two hundred twelve patients had a primary inguinal hernia. An unsuspected femoral hernia was discovered in 39 patients with a preoperatively diagnosed inguinal hernia. Operative time was 45 minutes, most patients were discharged in less than 24 hours, no recurrence has been noted, and minor complications were present. Most patients had minimal pain and returned to their normal activities within 10 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS This technique has the same advantages of open tension-free repairs, allows identification of femoral hernias, and protects a herniorrhaphy for recurrence.