[Enhanced recovery after preserving the left colonic artery during laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the postoperative outcomes of preserving the left colonic artery during laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 91 rectal cancer patients (pathologic Stage II) undergoing laparoscopic anterior resection was retrospectively analyzed. During the surgeries, the left colonic artery was preserved in 40 patients (preserved group) and ligated in 51 patients (unpreserved group).