To investigate the effect of pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP) in laparoscopic total mesorectal resection (TME) in terms of urinary function and sexual function of male patients with rectal cancer.

Clinical data of 153 male patients with rectal cancer treated with TME+ PANP from August 2016 to October 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the surgical methods, 82 patients were divided into the open group and 71 cases into the laparoscopic group. The postoperative urination function, sexual function, dysfunction rate and local recurrence in both groups were observed, and the efficacy was evaluated. Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS 21.0 software. The measurement data of urination function were expressed as(±s), and were examined by using independent t test. Count data such as sexual function and recurrence rate were analyzed by using χ² test, and the urination function was analyzed by using rank sum test. A P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.

Three months after the operation, the maximum bladder volume, maximum urine flow, residual urine volume and the rate of urinary dysfunction in the laparoscopic group were much better than those in the open group respectively (P<0.05); The rates of erectile dysfunction and ejaculation dysfunction were much lower than those of the open group respectively (P<0.05). One year after surgery, there was no significant difference between the two groups in local recurrence rate of (2.8% vs. 6.1%, P>0.05).

Pelvic autonomic nerve preservation during laparoscopic total mesorectal resection could effectively improve postoperative urination function and sexual dysfunction of male patients, which would be popular in clinical application.