To explore the clinical application of transanal colo-anal anastomosis in laparoscopic anterior resection for ultra-low rectal cancer (laparoscopic modified Parks operation).

The clinical data of twenty eight cases with laparoscopic modified Parks operation and fifty-six cases with open surgery from December 2008 to April 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The postoperative complications and anal vegetative nerve function were then discussed.

Patients were followed up for 6-52 months. In the laparoscopy group, 2 cases (7.1%) experienced anastomotic leakage, who underwent a transverse colostomy. The anastomotic stricture appeared in 1 case, and dysuresia appeared in 2 cases. In the open surgery group, the anastomotic leakage appeared in 5 cases (8.9%), of whom 2 cases underwent a transverse colostomy and conservative management was implemented in the other 3 cases. Sexual dysfunction and dysuresia appeared in 4 cases. Four cases in the laparoscopic group appeared to have dysporia within 3 months and the patients with good anal continence remained constant as time went by (χ²=0.778, P=0.678).

The laparoscopic modified Parks operation can effectively improve the sphincter-preserving rate for ultra-low rectal cancer with satisfactory anal continence and urinary function without increasing complications.