Objective To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic rectal resection (LR) in elderly and younger patients with rectal cancer. Methods From January 2008 to March 2009, 76 patients with rectal cancer undergoing elective rectal resection were included in this study. Older than 70 years named elderly group, in which LR was given to 16 cases, and open resection (OR) to 18 cases. Younger than 70 years named younger group, in which LR was performed in 23 cases, and OR in 19 cases. The results after LR and OR in rectal cancer between 2 groups of patients were compared. Results No surgery-assisted death occurred in either group. In 2 groups, ventilation time, intake food time and hospitalization after operation in LR were shorter than those of OR (P＜0.05， P＜0.01); intraoperative blood loss and the proportion of postoperative analgesia in LR were less than those of OR in 2 groups (P＜0.01); there were no significant differences between LR and OR (Pgt;0.05) in mean operation time or number of lymph node resected. In addition to the incision infection rate, the other complications rates and the postoperative life self-care rate between LR and OR were no significantly different in younger group (Pgt;0.05). In the elderly group, every complication rates of LR were lower than those of OR (P＜0.05), oppositely, the postoperative life self-care rate was higher (P＜0.01). Conclusions LR of rectal cancer can be applied to both elderly and younger patients. It is suggested that advanced age should not be the contraindication for LR, and by contrary elderly patients may be particularly indicated for lower postoperative complications rate compared to open surgeries.