Objective To discuss the short-term clinical curative effect of laparoscopic colorectal cancer radical resection for rectal cancer. Methods Clinical data of 50 patients with rectal cancer underwent radical resection from November 2015 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 27 cases underwent laparoscopic radical resection (Laparoscopy group), the other 23 cases underwent radical resection (Laparotomy group). Then observe and record the operation time, tumor diameter, specimen length, number of lymph node cleaning, time of ambulation, postoperative anal exhaust time, postoperative defecation time, postoperative complications and postoperative eating time of the two groups. Results The tumor diameter, length of specimens and number of lymph node dissection in laparoscopic group were (3.8 ± 1.4) cm, (18.5 ± 2.1) cm and (7.2 ± 3.1), while in Laparotomy group were (3.9 ± 1.4) cm, (18.6 ± 2.3) cm, and (7.7 ± 3.4), the difference has no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, ambulation time, postoperative anal exhaust time, postoperative defecation time, postoperative eating liquid diet time, postoperative hospitalization time in laparoscopic group were (105.3 ± 23.8) ml, (140.2 ± 22.3) min, (4.0 ± 1.2) d, (6.0 ± 1.5) d, (3.0 ± 1.0) d, (3.5 ± 0.5) d and (4.0 ± 1.0) d, while in Laparotomy group were (210.4 ± 21.3) ml, (118.9 ± 20.7) min, (4.5 ± 1.1) d, (7.8 ± 1.2) d, (7.0 ± 1.6) d, (8.1 ± 2.0) d and (10.0 ± 3.2) d, there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion Laparoscopicsurgery for rectal cancer is safe and effective. It can achieve radical tumor resection, and intraoperative less bleeding, faster postoperative recovery, shorter hospitalization time.