ObjectiveTo explore the surgical effect and cost-effectiveness of day surgery versus inpatient surgery for tension-free herniorrhaphy. MethodsA total of 100 cases of unilateral inguinal hernia who treated in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from Jan. 2010 to Sep. 2010 were collected prospectively, and were randomly divided into 2 groups: day surgery group (50 cases) and inpatient surgery group (50 cases). Comparison of the surgical effect and cost-effectiveness of day surgery versus inpatient surgery was performed. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the operation time, blood loss during the operation, incidence of urinary retention, scrotal edema fluid, incision foreign body sensation, and total complications, the time of get out of bed after surgery, and the time of returning to work after surgery (P > 0.05), but the hospital stay of day surgery group was shorter than that of inpatient surgery group (P < 0.05). The total cost of day surgery group was lower than that of inpatient surgery group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the preoperation cost and introperative cost (P > 0.05), but the postoperative cost of day surgery group was lower than that of inpatient surgery group (P < 0.05). In the preoperation cost, there was no significant difference in the intraoperative monitoring fee, anesthesia and surgery materials fee, and drug charges (P > 0.05), but in the postoperative cost, the drug charges, nursing care fee, bed fee, and escort fee of day surgery group were all lower than that of inpatient surgery group (P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe effect of day surgery for tension-free herniorrhaphy is similar with inpatient surgery. But compared with inpatient surgery, the total cost of day surgery is lower, turn-over rate is higher, so it improves utilization of medical resources, reduces economic burden, and also reduces the medical burden of the country.