Objective To explore the important role of preperitoneal space in laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal （TAPP） and totally extraperitoneal （TEP） hernia repair. Methods The clinical data of 66 patients （78 sides） performed laparoscopic TAPP and TEP hernia repair from January 2008 to April 2011 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results TAPP hernia repair were performed in 16 cases （20 sides），TEP hernia repair were performed in 50 cases （58 sides）. Three cases of TEP hernia repair transferred to TAPP hernia repair. The unilateral operation time was （86.92±36.38） min，intraoperative bleeding was （6.08±3.43） ml. Postoperative complication rate was 16.7% （11/66），including 3 cases of postoperative serum swelling，3 cases of temporary paraesthesia of nerve feeling in the repair area，2 cases of scrotum emphysema，2 cases of urinary retention，and 1 case of intestinal obstruction. There were 2 cases of recurrence. The hospital stay was （4.52±0.99） d. The return to activities and working time was （10.32±1.86） d after discharge. Sixty-six cases were followed up for （18.56±1.96） months （range 1-38 months），the patch infection，chronic pain，and testicular atrophy complications were not been observed. Conclusions Acquainting and mastering laparoscopic preperitoneal space and its important structure are the key to avoid intraoperative and postoperative complications of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.