Objective: To investigate the application of complete mesocolic excision (CME) in colon cancer surgery. Methods: The clinical data of 34 patients with colon cancer undergoing CME with central vascular ligation (CVL) between December 2009 and June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The postoperative UICC pathological stages of the patients were stage I in 4 cases, stage II in 14 cases and stage III in 16 cases, respectively. The median number of lymph nodes dissected was 18 lymph nodes, and 18.8% (3/16) of the stage III patients had positive metastatic lymph nodes in the root of the mesocolon. There was no perioperative death or associated injury in the entire group. The operative time was 2.5-3.5 (median 2.75) h, intraoperative blood loss was 80-200 (median 110) mL, time to first passing of flatus and first defecation after surgery was 3-5 (median 4) d and 4-6 (median 5) d, respectively, and length of postoperative hospital stay was 11-20 (median 14) d. The postoperative complications included 3 cases of wound infection, and one case each of lung infection and chyle leakage. There was no anastomotic leak or bowel obstruction during the short postoperative period. The 34 patients were followed up for 6 months to 2 years during which no local recurrence occurred, but one case developed liver metastases 16 months after surgery and died 3 months later. Conclusion: CVL combined with CME for colon cancer is safe and feasible, and has favorable short-term efficacy. It can possibly become a standardized surgical technique for colon cancer.