Abstract: Objective To compare the short-term outcome of da Vinci robot-assisted versus traditional laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer, and to explore the clinical value of da Vinci robot surgery.Methods Patients who underwent da Vinci robot-assisted or traditional laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from August 2020 to February 2022 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected from those after 25 cases of da Vinci robot assisted laparoscopic surgery. Both groups were compared for general information, operation related indicators and postoperative related indicators.Results A total of 48 patients underwent da Vinci robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, whereas 43 patients underwent traditional laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. There were differences in the first exhaust time after surgery, the time of catheter removal after surgery, hospitalization expenses, the classification of postoperative pain, postoperative urinary dysfunction, postoperative urinary function, and sexual function recovery between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions Da Vinci robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery shows better short-term effect than traditional laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer, with obvious clinical application value.