ABSTRACT
Anastomotic leak is one of inevitable postoperative complications of rectal cancer. With the improvement of surgical techniques, the enhancement of the cognization of rectal cancer, and the development of surgical instruments, surgical procedures of rectal cancer are getting more sophisticated. The anastomosis is performed lower and lower, however the incidence of anastomotic leak is not significantly decreased. In addition, different from intraperitoneal anastomotic leak, the low rectal anastomotic leak after low anterior resection has many special issues in the diagnosis and treatment in clinic. The incidence of peritonitis caused by low anastomotic leak is low, the onset time is late, and symptoms of peritonitis are mild. So most low anastomotic leak is treated conservatively, second surgical repair or resection of anastomotic site is rarely performed, and proximal intestinal diversion is commonly performed. In the prevention of low anastomotic leak, some techniques and precautions during the perioperative period and identification of high risk factors might play important roles. Combined our clinical experiences, we introduced the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research progression of low anastomotic leak after anterior resection of low rectal cancer, we hope it would be helpful.