Abstract:Objective To investigate clinical application of improved presacral space drainage pathways in anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic resection of super-lower rectal cancer with sphincter preservation. Methods In this retrospective study, we enrolled 33 cases undergoing laparoscopic resection of super-lower rectal cancer with sphincter preservation in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2008 to August 2018. According to the way the drainage tube was pulled through the presacral space, patients were divided into traditional pathway group (n?=?17) and improved pathway group (n?=?16). The effect and the incidence of complications were compared between the groups. Results The incidence of peritonitis and seroperitoneum in the improved group were decreased than those in traditional group (P?0.05). Mean time of hospitalization and extubation of drainage tube in the improved group was also decreased than those in traditional group (P?0.05). Two groups exhibited similar incidence of fever and surgical incision infection (P?>?0.05). Conclusions Using improved presacral space drainage pathways in condition of anastomotic leakage is safe and suitable for patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of super-lower rectal cancer, which can reduce the complications of anastomotic leakage and shorten the hospitalization time.