The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser localization combined with soft-channel minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage, and to develop stereotactic alternatives that are cost-effective, safe and precise for underdeveloped regions. To meet this aim, 60 patients with cerebral hemorrhage were randomly assigned to the control group (n=30) or the study group (n=30). The patients in the study group were treated with laser localization combined with soft-channel MIS to remove the hematoma, whereas the control group was treated with YL-1 needle puncture to drain the intracranial hemorrhage. All patients underwent successful surgical treatment. The hematoma clearance rate was revealed to be 88.72±2.82% in the study group and 84.50±4.26% in the control group. Both groups achieved residual hematoma volume <10 ml or a hematoma clearance rate >70%, and the difference in the hematoma clearance rate was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05), with the study group having an improved hematoma clearanc2e rate compared with the control group. The median 7-day postoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score was 13.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 12.0, 14.0] for the study group and 12.0 (IQR, 11.0, 13.0) for the control group, indicating an improved outcome in the study group. The puncture accuracy was 100% (30/30) in the study group compared with 76.66% (23/30) in the control group (P<0.05). The hematoma drainage time was found to be significantly shorter in the study group (40.57±8.24 h) compared with that in the control group (56.80±14.40 h) (P<0.05). At the 6-month follow-up, the median modified Rankin Scale score was found to be 2.0 (IQR, 2.0, 3.0) in both groups. Neither group experienced rebleeding, hydrocephalus or cerebral infarction. No intracranial infections occurred in the treatment group, whereas three cases of intracranial infection were observed in the control group. In conclusion, the findings of the present study have shown that laser localization combined with soft-channel MIS is effective and safe in the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage.