OBJECTIVETo explore the availability of Da Vinci robotic-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision(taTME) for lower rectal cancer, which have been regarded as challenging situations in rectal cancer surgery.

METHODSThe medical records of a patient who underwent robotic-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision, coloanal anastomosis and ileostomy for lower rectal cancer on May 31st 2017 were reported.

RESULTSThe case was a sixty-three year-old male patient with a body mass index of 19.1 kg/m. Preoperative examinations showed the tumor size was 4 cm×4 cm×3 cm. With a distance from the anal verge of 4 cm.The tumor was moderately differentiated and staged as cT3N2M0.taTME was performed successfully and the patient recovered quickly without any complications. The histological report showed a complete mesorectal excision with freee distal and circumferential margins.

CONCLUSIONRobotic-assisted taTME is available. Robotics may help to overcome technical difficulties.