To investigate the effect of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) combined with transanal internal sphincterectomy (ISR) on the treatment of low rectal cancer and the effect of anal control function.

159 patients with low rectal cancer who were treated by Yichang Second People′s Hospital were selected. The collection time was from January 2014 to January 2017. According to the different operative methods, sixty-nine cases were divided into laparoscopic group (laparoscopic TME+ ISR operation) and ninety cases of laparotomy group (TME+ ISR operation was performed by traditional laparotomy), comparing the indicators related to the operation and operation in the two groups after anal function.

The operative time and the number of dissection nodes in the laparoscopic group were not significantly different from those in the laparotomy group (t=1.209, 1.585; P>0.05). The amount of surgical bleeding, the anal exhaust time and the length of stay in the laparoscopic group were significantly less than those in the laparotomy group (t=13.834, 5.930, 6.556; P<0.05); the postoperative continence function of the laparoscopic group was significantly better than that of the laparotomy group, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-2.183, P=0.029); before operation, the anal sphincter systolic pressure (t=1.381, P=0.397), the maximum anal contraction time (t=1.047, P=0.297), and anal rest pressure (t=0.483, P=0.495) were not significantly different between the two groups; three months after surgery, the laparoscopic group of patients with anal sphincter pressure, the maximum contraction time, anal anal resting pressure were significantly higher than that in the open group, the difference was statistically significant (t=3.571, 5.188, 3.448; P<0.05). The complication rate of the laparoscopic group was 7.25%, which was significantly lower than that of the laparotomy group 17.78% (χ²=4.003, P=0.045).

laparoscopic TME combined with ISR is effective in the treatment of low rectal cancer, and has less trauma and good postoperative anal function.