Assesment of laparoscopic surgery for mid-low rectal cancer LI Guo-xin.Department of General Surgery,Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,Guangzhou 510515,China Abstract The technical safty and feasibility of laparoscopic procedure for mid-low rectal cancer were confirmed by increasing clinical studies .The short-term advantages of fast postoperative recovery,less pain and short hospital stay for laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery were shown in a growing body of literatures. Laparoscopic surgery for mid-low rectal cancer could strictly adhere to the oncological principle to guarantee the oncologic safty . Laparoscopic approach might be superior to the open surgery in terms of anal sphincter saving and impact on bladder and sexual function,and could be safe and feasible in total mesorectal excision with preoperative chemoradiation therapy.In conclusion,the data from the recent trials have shown promising clinical benefits of short-term advantages as well as long-term oncologic equivalence for laparoscopic surgery for mid-low rectal cancer.However,adequately powered,multiple center trials are justified and necessary to assess the role of laparoscopy in mid-low rectal cancer surgery.