ObjectiveTo compare degree and characteristics of early postoperative pain for patients with inguinal hernia underwent laparoscopic versus open tension-free hernioplasty. MethodsThe clinical data of 120 patients who underwent tension-free hernioplasty from July 2013 to June 2015 were analyzed. All of the patients were divided into open tension-free hernioplasty group (open group, n=60) and laparoscopic tension-free hernioplasty group (laparoscope group, n=60). Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was evaluated at different time point. Results① Within 12 h after operation, the comparison of total VAS score between the laparoscope group and the open group had no significant difference (F=1.674, P=0.198), the difference of VAS score in these two groups was significantly different at each time point (F=21.186, P=0.000), and the variation tendency was influenced by grouping factors (F=87.038, P=0.000). ② Within 7 d after opera-tion, the differences of comparison of total VAS score between the laparoscope group and the open group and at each time point were statistically significant (F=46.358, P=0.000; F=576.387, P=0.000) and had a downtrend, further more the variation tendency was influenced by grouping factors (F=19.454, P=0.000). ③ The composition ratios of pain site and characteristics had significant differences between these two groups within 7d after operation (χ2=10.108, P=0.001; χ2=7.144, P=0.028), the dosage of analgesic drugs between two groups had no significant difference (t=0.872, P=0.386). ConclusionAs a representative of minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic technology has certain advantages in reducing postoperative pain for patients with inguinal hernia, but minimally invasive technique does not mean to painless. Further improvement is needed by hernia surgery.