Objective To observe the clinical effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of mesh infection following inguinal hernia repair. Methods A total of 24 patients who suffered form mesh infection following inguinal hernia repair and got treatment in our hospital from February 2012 to December 2015 were collected and divided into 2 groups according to the type of treatment, 12 patients (13 sides) of VSD group received treatment of VSD, and 12 patients (13 sides) of conventional group received conventional treatment. Comparison between the 2 groups in mesh retention rate, the wound healing time, hospitalization cost, and hospital stay was performed. Results There was significant difference in mesh retention rate〔76.9% (10/13)vs. 30.8% (4/13)〕, the wound healing time〔(20.5±4.4) dvs. (29.7± 6.7) d〕, hospitalization cost〔(18 430.1±7 180.2) RMBvs. (12 201.1±6 453.2) RMB〕, and hospital stay〔(23.5±4.1) dvs. (30.7±6.5) d〕between the VSD group and conventional group (P<0.050). Compared with conventional group, the mesh retention rate and hospitalization cost were higher, the wound healing time and hospital stay were shorter in VSD group. Conclusions VSD can effectively control the mesh infection following hernia repair, improve the mesh retention rate. The VSD can also promote growth of granulation tissue in cavity, shorten the wound healing time and hospital stay, but has a high hospitalization cost than conventional treatment.