ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP) with total mesorectal excision (TME) on sexual and urinary function in male rectal cancer patients. MethodsClinical data of eightyfour patients with rectal cancer from January 2008 to October 2010 in our hospital were analyzed. According to different operative techniques, all the patients were divided into two groups: PANP+TME group (n=41) and TME group (n=43). The sexual dysfunction, urination disorder rate, and local recurrence rate after operation of patients between two groups were compared. ResultsErectile dysfunction rate of patients in TME+PANP group and TME group was 29.3% (12/41) and 76.7% (33/43), ejaculation disorder rate was 26.8% (11/41) and 79.1% (34/43), and urination dysfunction rate was 24.4% (10/41) and 79.1% (34/43), respectively. The rate of sexual and urinary dysfunction of patients in TME+PANP group was significantly lower than that in TME group (Plt;0.05). Local recurrence rate of patients in TME+PANP group (9.8%, 4/41) was similar to that in TME group (11.6%, 5/43)， Pgt;0.05. ConclusionPANP based on TME can reduce effectively the rate of sexual and urinary dysfunction in male rectal cancer patients, which does not increase the local recurrence rate after operation.