ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for middle or low rectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>83 patients with middle or low rectal cancer received laparoscopic surgery and 85 patients received conventional open surgery. The cutting edge of specimens and number of lymph nodes were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean distance between resected margin and the tumor was 3.21 +/- 1.25 cm in laparoscopic operation group, while it was 1.15 +/- 1.11 cm in the open surgery group (P = 0.001). The mean number of disected lymph nodes was 12.53 +/- 1.88 in the laparoscopic operation group and 10.85 +/- 1.81 in the open operation group (P = 0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications was 12.0% in the laparoscopic operation group and 23.5% in the open operation group (P = 0.026). The mean time of food intake and using analgesics after surgery were 2.43 +/- 1.06 days and 2.53 +/- 1.01 days, respectively, in the laparoscopic operation group, while the corresponding figures were 3.67 +/- 1.13 days and 4.55 +/- 1.78 days, respectively, in the open operation group (P = 0.005, P = 0.008).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective procedure for middle or low rectal cancer, with less postoperative complications and better recovery after treatment.</p>