The double stapling technique was used to perform low anterior resection for rectal tumors in 122 patients (68 men, 54 women) with a mean age of 65 years (range, 28 to 87 years). There was no perioperative death. Technical problems related to the stapling technique and requiring transitory colostomy occurred in one patients. The clinical anastomotic leak rate was 5 per cent (six patients); in 2 patients, the fistula was treated successfully with a defunctioning transverse loop colostomy. Hospital stay ranged from 6 to 23 days (mean 10.2 days). Continence was normal in all patients at 6 weeks. One soft colo-anal anastomotic stenosis required dilatation. These results appear promising. The double stapling technique appears to facilitate low anterior resection of the rectum with safety.