Objective：To evaluate the applicability of curved cutter stapler in the ultra-low anterior resection with sphincter-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer.
Methods：A prospective study was carried out on 63 patients with low rectal cancer who underwent radical resection by the same surgical team from January 2006 to December 2010. Following total mesorectal excision (TME) and lateral lymph node dissection (LLND), the patients were randomly assigned either to use curved cutter stapler (the ContourTM, observation group) or to use linear cutter stapler (control group) during the distal rectum (anus) transection and closure. Finally, the ultra-low colo-rectal (anal) anastomosis was performed by a 32 mm curved intraluminal stapler. The advantages and disadvantages of the two methods were compared.
Results：The rectal (anal) remnant and colorectal (anal) closure were conducted perfectly in the 32 cases with curved cutter stapler during operation. No postoperative anastomotic fistula occurred. Compared with the control group, the operation time was shorter ［(117.3±37.5)min vs. (149.3±42.4)min, P＜0.05)］ and complication rate was lower in the observation group (9.4% vs. 19.4%, P＜0.05). The rate of sphincter-preservation in the observation group was also higher than that of the control group ［100% (32/32) vs. 90.3% (28/31), P＜0.05］. 
Conclusions：Curved cutter stapler has the advantage of complete cutting and closure, shorter operation time, low related complication incidence and low convertion to Miles method in the ultra-low anterior resection for low rectal cancer. It has great application prospects.