To investigate the impact of the waterproof properties of α-cyanoacrylate isobutyl ester medical adhesive on postoperative incision management and early quality of life in patients undergoing laparoscopic tension-free inguinal hernia repair.

The study included 40 adult patients who underwent elective laparoscopic tension-free inguinal hernia repair at the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between December 2025 and March 2026. The patients were divided into an observation group (n=20, with incisions closed using α-cyanoacrylate isobutyl ester medical adhesive) and a control group (n=20, with incisions closed using traditional interrupted sutures). Patients in the observation group were permitted to shower starting on the third postoperative day, while those in the control group had their sutures removed on the seventh postoperative day and were permitted to shower starting on the eighth day. Postoperative incision healing, complication rates, scores on each dimension of the 1-month postoperative SF-36 health status questionnaire, and satisfaction with incision care were compared between the two groups.

Postoperative incisions in both groups achieved Grade A healing, with no cases of deep infection, seroma, or incision dehiscence; there was no statistically significant difference in the overall incidence of incision complications between the two groups (P>0.05). One month postoperatively, the observation group had higher scores on the SF-36 questionnaire in the physical health, physical function, physical pain, and social function than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences [(85.5±3.9) points vs (81.5±3.9) points, (87.5±4.0) points vs (84.6±4.0) points, (85.4±3.0) points vs (83.2±3.0) points, (85.4±3.0) points vs (83.2±3.0) points; all P<0.05].

The use of α-cyanoacrylate isobutyl ester medical adhesive in laparoscopic tension-free inguinal hernia repair creates a reliable waterproof barrier at the surgical incision site. This allows for safe and feasible showering in the early postoperative period without increasing the incidence of incision complications. It significantly simplifies nursing procedures and improves patients' quality of life in the early postoperative period, aligning with the principles of enhanced recovery after surgery.