ObjectiveTo compare the postoperative complications following laparoscopic and open radical resection for rectal cancer. MethodsThe clinical data of 681 patients with rectal cancer from January 2011 to December 2014 in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were analyzed retrospectively, of whom 583 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic group) and 98 patients underwent open surgery (open group). The complications were compared between the two groups. Results①There were no statistically significant differences in the gender, age, total protein, albumin, and body mass index between the two groups (P > 0.05). As compared with the open group, the proportions of previous abdominal operation, Dixon operation, and TNM stageⅡandⅢwere lower (P < 0.05), while the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was more common (P < 0.05), the distance of the tumor lower margin from the anal verge was shorter (P < 0.05) in the laparoscopic group.②No differences were seen in terms of anastomotic leakage, pulmonary infection, urinary retention, intestinal obstruction, wound infection, abdominal sepsis, urinary tract infection, stoma complications, poor incision healing, bleeding, intestinal hemorrhage, and deep vein thrombosis between the two groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionsThe development of postoperative complications in the laparoscopic group is similar to the open group, which are both available approach to the treatment of rectal cancer. But more randomized clinical trials are warranted to confirm which one is better.