ObjectiveTo compare the clinical effect of total extraperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy (TEP) with open and laparoscopic technique. MethodsThe clinical data of 148 patients with inguinal hernia or femoral hernia in this hospital from January 2012 to July 2013 were analyzed retrospectively, in which 74 patients received TEP with open technique (open TEP group), 74 patients received TEP with laparoscopic technique (laparoscopic TEP group). ResultsAll the operations were successfully completed.Compared with the laparoscopic TEP group, the operative time, intra-operative bleeding, and hospitalization expenses were significantly decreased in the open TEP group (P < 0.05).The post-operative exhaust time, postoperative hospital stay, and the postoperative complications rate had no significant differences between the open TEP group and the laparoscopic TEP group (P > 0.05).All the patients were followed up, no recurr-ence occurred during a 3-19 months of following-up. ConclusionsTEP with open and laparoscopic technique are both safe and efficient.The open technique has the advantages of shorter operative time, lower cost, so it is worth being widely used for primary hospital.