直肠前间隙的解剖是腹腔镜直肠全系膜切除术（total mesorectal excision，TME）的一个难点。术中若解剖层面不当，容易造成直肠前壁固有筋膜破损或损伤邻近的神经血管束。对于直肠前壁的肿瘤，直肠固有筋膜破裂可能造成环周切缘阳性及局部复发；神经血管束损伤则可能导致术后性功能障碍，特别是在男性患者。掌握直肠前间隙的解剖技巧有利于提高TME手术的手术质量及患者的术后生存质量。

It is a difficult procedure to dissect in the pre-rectal space during laparoscopic total mesorectal excision(TME). If the dissection was not in the right space, the fascia propria of the anterior rectal wall would be broken and damage the neurovascular bundles nearby. With regard to the tumor located in the anterior rectal wall, the broken fascia propria of the rectum may result in the involvement of the circumferential resection margin and local recurrence. And the damage of the neurovascular bundles would lead to post-operative sexual dysfunction, especially in the male. It is important for the surgeons to master the technique of dissection in the pre-rectal space, and it is helpful to improve the quality of TME and the quality of life of the patients after operations.