Objective To explore the application effect of PDCA cycle management on reducing the unplanned overnight recovery rate in patients undergoing transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TAPP) under the same-day surgery model. Methods The unplanned overnight recovery rate in patients who underwent TAPP at West China Tianfu Hospital of Sichuan University between January and October 2023 (pre-improvement phase) was analyzed. A quality control group was established, and PDCA cycle management was employed to define control objectives and implement strategies to reduce the unplanned overnight recovery rate. The unplanned overnight recovery rate in patients who underwent TAPP between November 2023 and April 2024 (post-improvement phase) was compared with that in the pre-improvement phase. Results After the implementation of PDCA cycle management, the unplanned overnight recovery rate in patients undergoing TAPP under the same-day surgery reduced from 23.87% (37/155) in the pre-improvement phase to 9.05% (19/210) in the post-improvement phase, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of PDCA cycle in the process management of TAPP under the same-day surgery model significantly reduces the unplanned overnight recovery rate in patients.