Local recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) is located in the pelvis with or without distant metastasis. It is life-threatening for patients with rectal cancer. Despite the addition of imaging technology, preoperative neoadjuvant therapy and total mesorectal excision, loco-regional relapse still occurs with an incidence as high as 10% in recent reports. Non-operative approaches to management such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can only prolong survival time by 1 year. Improvements in surgical techniques, reconstruction methods and management of preoperative complications have helped increase the cure rate of patients with recurrent rectal cancer. Multimodality therapy based on surgery is the key of treating LRRC. This review article highlights the progress in surgical managements for local recurrent rectal cancer.