ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of sidestream dark field (SDF) imaging technology in laparoscopic anterior resection (LAR) of rectal cancer on postoperative anastomotic leakage. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients diagnosed with rectal cancer and underwent LAR of rectal cancer in the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from October 2017 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and then were divided into the study group and the control group according to whether SDF imaging technology was used during the operation. The intraoperative and postoperative data, especially the postoperative anastomotic leakage, were analyzed. ResultsA total of 90 patients were involved in this study, including 40 patients in the study group and 50 patients in the control group. There were no statistical differences in the baseline data such as gender, age, boby mass index and so on between the two groups (P>0.05). Except that the incidence of anastomotic leakage in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), there were no statistical differences in other indexes during and after operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation plans were changed in 8 patients of the study group. Except for the total vessel density (P=0.962), the microvascular flow index, perfusion vessel proportion, and perfusion vessel density in the last measurement of these 8 patients were higher than those in the first measurement (P<0.05). ConclusionFrom preliminary results of this study, real-time evaluation of intestinal microcirculation by SDF imaging technology can help surgeons evaluate microcirculation perfusion at the intestinal anastomosis and provide an important reference for surgical decision-making.