This can be a confusing subject, with pros and cons to both types of surgery. You can read a comparison of the 2 approaches here:
https://www.arthritis-health.com/surgery/hip-surgery/advantages-and-disadvantages-anterior-hip-replacement
I believe that any time a scalpel comes in contact with my body, there is some risk (however small) of one or more nerves being damaged. According to the review above the risk exists in any hip replacement. You might want to ask the surgeon what he meant - he might have said he doesn't cut any nerves, but that doesn't mean disturbed nerves won't be unhappy.

The femoral nerve goes right down the front of the thigh and branches to the side. My surgeon said he does everything possible to avoid cutting it but it happens more with anterior because the nerve is difficult to see. My hip pain is gone but now I have nasty nerve pain.