Surgery is the main treatment modality for rectal cancer at present, and laparoscopic techniques advocated in recent years are becoming increasingly preferred due to cosmetic incision, less blood loss, decreased pain, faster recovery and shorter length of hospital stay. Meanwhile, various complications associated with laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery such as intestinal injury, ureteral injury, anastomotic fistula, anastomotic bleeding and anastomotic stenosis are often reported. How to prevent, reduce and treat the related complications are crucial for operative success and postoperative recovery. The authors address the causes for those complications and the preventive measures.