直肠癌是最常见的消化道恶性肿瘤之一,是目前世界上致死率第四位的恶性肿瘤,仅次于肺癌、胃癌和肝癌[1]。其发病率逐年上升。2014年,直肠癌成为全世界女性发病率第二(9.2%)、男性发病率第三(10.0%)的恶性肿瘤[2]。20世纪末以来,医学技术快速发展,特别是吻合器的发展和使用,在低位及超低位直肠癌手术中提高手术效率、减轻术者工作负担。更重要的是,在直肠全系膜切除术(total mesorectal Rectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies and is the fourth most lethal malignant tumor in the world, after lung cancer, gastric cancer and liver cancer [1]. The incidence increased year by year. In 2014, rectal cancer became the second (9.2%) worldwide in women and the third (10.0%) in men with malignancy [2]. Since the end of 20th century, the rapid development of medical technology, especially the development and use of stapler, can improve the operation efficiency and reduce the workload of surgeons in low and ultra-low rectal cancer operations. More importantly, in total mesorectal resection (total mesorectal