Abstract: Objective: To investigate the difference and complementarity between total mesorectal excision (TME) and radical resection in relation to postoperative local recurrence in patients receiving anus-reserve operation on rectal cancer. Methods: Clinical data of 81 cases during a period from 1975 to 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: In the 81 cases with local recurrence, 49 of them laid to anastomosises and mesorectum, 17 lymphonode and 15 multi-site relapse. The choice of operative procedure included abdominoperitoneal resection in 58 cases, Hartmann's operation in 4 cases, simple double-pelvic stoma in 12 cases, exploration in 7cases, and total pelvic or rear-pelvic resection in combination with other organs in 6 cases. The rate of resection was 84.0% (68/81). 32 cases reach clinical radical degree. The rate of radical resection is 39.5% (32/81). The 5-years surrival rate is 34.4% (11/32). Conclusion: Based on actual condition of the patients, attention for radical resection and total mesorectal excision are necessary and reasonable adoption of the operative procedure could reduce the local recurrence of rectal cancer.