To investigate the clinical efficacy of lightweight polypropylene mesh versus self-gripping mesh in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP).

A prospective cohort study was conducted. A total of 120 male patients with inguinal hernia treated from March 2022 to March 2024 were enrolled. Patients were divided into the polypropylene group (n=58) and the self-gripping group (n=62) according to the type of mesh used during TEP. Statistical analyses were performed via SPSS 27.0 software. The t test and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to compare baseline clinical data, intraoperative parameters, pre- and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores, postoperative complications and hernia recurrence during follow-up between the two groups. The significance level was set at (alpha=0.05).

No statistically significant differences were found in baseline clinical data between the two groups. The polypropylene group had longer operative time but lower total medical costs than the self-gripping group, with statistically significant differences (t=2.063), (t=10.406), all (P<0.05). Postoperative VAS pain scores of both groups decreased markedly over time, and the differences across time points within each group were statistically significant (F_time=290.688), (P<0.05). The overall VAS scores of the self-gripping mesh group were lower than those of the polypropylene group, and the main effect between groups was statistically significant (F_group=13.318), (P<0.05). In addition, the changing trends of VAS scores over time differed between the two groups, and the time-by-group interaction effect reached statistical significance (F_interaction=4.382), (P<0.05). Significant intergroup differences in VAS scores were detected at 1 month and 2 months after surgery (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in postoperative complication rates or hernia recurrence rates during follow-up (P>0.05).

For laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP), lightweight polypropylene mesh and self-gripping mesh demonstrate equivalent safety with no differences in postoperative complication rates or long-term hernia recurrence risks. The use of self-gripping mesh shortens operative duration and alleviates postoperative pain, whereas lightweight polypropylene mesh boasts a lower cost. Clinicians may select mesh products individually based on each patient's actual situation.