Objective To compare the effect of minimally invasive anterior bikini approach and lateral approach in artificial total hip arthroplasty. Methods Clinical data of 80 patients undergoing artificial total hip arthroplasty were retrospectively analyzed, and patients were randomly divided into observation group or control group according to their surgical methods, with 40 cases in each group. The observation group underwent artificial total hip arthroplasty via the minimally invasive anterior bikini approach, while the control group underwent artificial total hip arthroplasty via the lateral approach. The operation duration, incision length, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative length of hospital stay, postoperative time to out⁃of⁃bed and weight⁃bearing, occurrence of postoperative complications, satisfaction with efficacy, and Harris hip scores before and 6 months after surgery were compared between the two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the observation group had a shorter incision length, less intraoperative bleeding volume, a shorter postoperative length of hospital stay, and an earlier time to postoperative out⁃of⁃bed and weight⁃bearing (P<0.05). At 6 months postoperatively, the Harris hip scores of both groups elevated as compared with before operation, and the Harris hip score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction score regarding efficacy in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the overall incidence rate of postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Both the minimally invasive anterior bikini approach and the lateral approach can improve hip function in patients undergoing artificial total hip arthroplasty. However, the former approach can shorten incision length and postoperative length of hospital stay, reduce intraoperative bleeding volume, facilitate earlier postoperative out⁃of⁃bed and weight⁃bearing, result in higher patients' satisfaction with efficacy, and lead to superior recovery of hip joint function postoperatively.