To compare the effects of total mesorectal resection (TME) and open surgery on the short-term and long-term efficacy and survival rate of patients with primary rectal cancer (RC).

The data of patients with primary RC from December 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups according to different operation methods: the laparotomy group underwent laparotomy (n=42 cases), and the endoscopic group underwent laparoscopic TME (n=80 cases). SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical data processing. Perioperative indicators were expressed as (), and independent sample t test was performed. Complications were counted by χ² test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The time of operation, the amount of blood loss, the time of gastrointestinal function recovery and the distance between the lower tumor margin and the distal resection margin in the endoscopic group were lower than those in the open group. The total complication rate of endoscopic group was lower than that of laparotomy group (8.8% vs. 23.8%), and the recovery rate of anal function was higher than that of laparotomy group (90.0% vs. 76.2%). The 3-year survival rate (95.0% vs. 83.3%) and 5-year survival rate (88.8% vs. 73.8%) in endoscopic group were higher than those in open group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

TME has better near - and long-term efficacy than open surgery in patients with primary RC, which can significantly reduce operation time, iatrogenic bleeding and complications, promote gastrointestinal function recovery and improve long-term survival rate of patients, and is worthy of recommendation.