To analyze the efficacy of laparoscopic totally extra-peritoneal hernia repair (TEP) versus trans-abdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) in young adults with unilateral inguinal hernia.

A total of 135 young adults with unilateral inguinal hernia admitted to Haian People's Hospital from April 2021 to April 2024 were selected. According to the surgical approach, they were divided into TAPP group (63 cases) and TEP group (72 cases). Surgical conditions, postoperative mobility and chronic pain, quality of life, complications, and long-term prognosis of the two groups were compared.

The operative time (59.19±8.74) min, intraoperative blood loss (19.36±4.83) ml, time to first flatus (7.47±1.29) hours, time to stand up at bedside (7.59±1.33) s, time to achieve 90° hip and knee flexion (1.21±0.26) s, time to walk 10 meters (12.54±1.67) s, visual analogue scale (VAS) score at postoperative day 1 (3.11±0.41) points, VAS score at postoperative day 2 (2.54±0.37) points in the TEP group were lower than those in the TAPP group (62.38±9.63) min, (21.28±3.47) ml, (8.13±1.86) hours, (8.26±1.64) s, (1.34±0.39) s, (13.17±1.82) s, (3.29±0.56) points, (2.71±0.42) points, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The physical function score (95.47±2.19) points and physiological role score (95.06±2.04) points in the TEP group were higher than those in the TAPP group (94.26±3.52) points, (94.12±3.17) points, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in terms of complication rates and hernia recurrence rates (P>0.05).

Compared to TAPP, TEP in young adults with unilateral inguinal hernia can promote postoperative recovery, alleviate pain, and improve quality of life. Both surgical techniques are safe.