Objective To discuss the influence of the progress and result in rectal cancer operation through application of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Methods The patients treated in MDT model and non-MDT model between June to September 2007 were respectively analyzed, and the index about pathologic change, histologic transform and operative result between the two groups were compared.Results In the index of pathologic change, the incidence of abdominal adherence (13.5%, 7/52), ascites (7.7%, 4/52) and latent malignant intestinal obstruction (5.8%, 3/52) in MDT model group were obviously less than non-MDT model group (P=0.000). In the index of histologic transform, texture of mesentery in MDT model group was more fragile than non-MDT model group (P=0.000). The incidence of edema of pelvic tissues in MDT model group were more than non-MDT model group (P=0.000). However, the differences between the incidence of edema of pelvic peritoneum and adherence of mesorectum in two groups were insignificant (Pgt;0.05). In the index of operative results, the operative duration and intra-operative bleeding in MDT model group were less than non-MDT model group (P=0.000). And the protection of pelvic autonomic nerve in MDT model group was better than non-MDT model group (P=0.000). Meanwhile, accuracy rate in prediction of radical resection with anus-preserving in both groups were in high level (92.3% vs 76.2%). Conclusion Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy has certain influence in rectal cancer operation, but the successful operations are performed by standard and correct procedures. Therefore, optimizing combined therapy in MDT model and constructing preoperative evaluation system with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, would be the next important focus.