ObjectiveTo study the risk factors affecting anterior resection syndrome of rectal cancer. MethodsSixty-seven patients with low rectal cancer who performed anus preserving operation in Second Artillery General Hospital from August 2013 to October 2014 were screened out based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Forty-two cases received low anterior resection (LAR), 25 cases received intersphincter resection (ISR). Patients were followed-up for 1 year. The severity of anterior resection syndrome was evaluated by using score system for anterior resection syndrome. The patients' age, gender, body mass index (BMI), TNM stage, surgical mode, surgical approach, anastomotic height, prophylactic colostomy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiotherapy were used as research indicators, and to evaluate the impact to anterior resection syndrome. ResultsThe single factor analysis showed that the surgical mode, preventive stoma, radiotherapy, anastomotic height, and age were related to the severity of anterior resection syndrome (P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that the surgical mode (OR=4.506, 95% CI: 1.220, 16.640, P=0.024) and radiotherapy (OR=14. 688, 95% CI: 3.200, 67.429, P=0.001) were related to the severity of anterior resection syndrome. ConclusionSurgical mode and radiotherapy are the independent risk factors of anterior resection syndrome.