To compare the efficacy and safety of partially absorbable mesh versus non-absorbable mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, and to provide a reference for clinical decision-making.

A literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Elsevier, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang Data to retrieve Chinese and English literature published from October 2015 to October 2025 on clinical studies comparing partially absorbable mesh and non-absorbable mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed, and RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis.

A total of 13 studies were ultimately included, comprising 2016 cases, with 1009 cases in the partially absorbable mesh group and 998 cases in the non-absorbable mesh group. Compared with the non-absorbable mesh group, the partially absorbable mesh group showed lower rates of postoperative chronic pain (RR=0.40, 95% CI 0.22-0.72, P=0.003), foreign body sensation (RR=0.37, 95% CI 0.20-0.66, P=0.0008), and overall complications (RR=0.58, 95% CI 0.44-0.75, P<0.0001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for the following indicators: postoperative recurrence rate (RR=0.90, 95% CI 0.18-4.56, P=0.90), postoperative mesh infection rate (RR=0.20, 95% CI 0.02-1.69, P=0.14), postoperative seroma rate (RR=0.94, 95% CI 0.63-1.41, P=0.78), and postoperative dysuria rate (RR=0.79, 95% CI 0.31-2.01, P=0.62).

Current evidence suggests that in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the use of partially absorbable mesh is associated with lower rates of postoperative chronic pain, foreign body sensation, and overall complications. However, the rates of postoperative mesh infection, seroma, and dysuria are comparable to those with non-absorbable mesh, and due to low statistical power and a very low GRADE rating, no definitive conclusion can be drawn regarding the postoperative recurrence rate. Based on the currently available evidence, partially absorbable mesh may represent a safe option for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair; however, further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.