Objective To evaluate the effects of pelvic autonomic nerve preservation(PANP) on urinary and sexual functions in postoperative patients with radical resection for rectal cancer.Methods The radical resection of rectal cancer was carried out in 256 cases of patients with rectal cancer in our hospital from January 2002 to August 2008.Patients were divided into study group (n=156) with PANP and control group (n=100) without PANP.The preserved functions of automatic micturition,male erection,ejaculation,the change of female orgasm,and local recurrence of tumor were observed in the two groups.Results The preserved functions of urination,male erection,ejaculation and female sexual orgasm in study group were significantly stronger than those in control group (P<0.01),and there Was no significant difference of local recurrence of tumors between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusions The radical operation with PANP for rectal cancer can improve postoperative micturition and sexual function,and this method does not increase local tumor recurrence after operation.