To investigate the efficacy of standardized neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) in the treatment of low rectal cancer and its effect on surgical outcomes.

96 patients with low rectal cancer who were treated from October 2016 to October 2018 were enrolled into the study. According to the random number table. 48 cases were divided into the routine group, who received conventional open surgery, while 48 cases were divided into the NC group, who underwent standardized new adjuvant chemotherapy before open surgery. Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS 23.0 software. Measurement data such as intraoperative and postoperative indexes were represented as (±s) and were examined by using t test. Conversion rate and postoperative complication rate were analyzed by using χ² test. A P value of < 0.05 was considered as statistical significant difference.

The number of dissected lymph nodes and the length of distal margin in the NC group were significantly better than those in the conventional group respectively (P<0.05). There were no significant difference between two groups in terms of operation time and intraoperative blood loss (P>0.05). The postoperative exhaust time and postoperative feeding time in the NC group were significantly better than those in the conventional group respectively (P<0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications in the NC group was 12.5%, which was significantly lower than 29.2% in the conventional group, with significant difference (P<0.05).

Standardized neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with conventional open surgery could increase the number of dissected lymph nodes, the length of the distal margin, and could improve the postoperative exhaust time and eating time, could reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, which is worth of clinical promotion.