Background: Single-port laparoscopic surgery is emerging as a method to improve morbidity and cosmetic benefits of conventional laparoscopic surgery and minimize the surgical trauma. However, the feasibility of this procedure in rectal surgery has not been determined yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate our initial experience using single port access in laparoscopic rectal surgery.

Design: randomized, prospective clinical study Patients: 40 patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients > 18 years of age.
• ASA I-III.
• Tumor-location: maximum 15 cm from the anal verge.
• No involvement of neighbouring organs.
• No distant metastasis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Linguistic, physical or psychological barriers precluding oral and written consent.
• History of intestinal surgery (excl. appendectomy).