Objective To elucidate the value of total mesorectal excision (TME) in low anteriorresection with double stapling technique. Methods During January 1993 to October 1998,306 cases ofrectal lesions were treated by total mesorectal excision in low anterior resection (LAR) with double sta-pling technique. Among the patients with rectal cancer, 235(78.86% ) were treated by low anterior resec-tion and 97 (41.28 % ) by ultralow anterior resection. Results No operative death was noted, and anasto-motic leakage occurred in 9(2.94%) patients. Ureter injury occurred in 2(0.65%) patients 32(10.46% ) patients suffered from anastornotic stenosis, 31mm diameter of stapler for 27( 12.68% ) patientsand 33mm diameter of stapler for 5 patients (5.38%). Local recurrence occurred in 20(6.71%) pa-tients:Dukes' B 4(2.33%) patients, Dukes' C 9 (12.5%) patients, and Dukes' D 7 (53.85%)pateints. Conclusions Total mesorectal excision can effectively reduce the local recurrence rate afterLAR with double stapling technique. Since the recurrence is closely related to the stage of the disease,early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment are extremely important.