Short-term urinary dysfunction is common after laparoscopic surgery for low rectal cancer, especially in older patients and those undergoing abdominoperineal resection.

• 78 patients experienced short-term voiding dysfunction, linked to longer surgery duration.
• Patients aged over 75 had significantly worse urinary function post-surgery, with no recovery over time for those undergoing abdominoperineal resection.

Surgeons should consider these factors for preoperative counseling and patient selection.

• No significant changes were observed in overactive bladder or incontinence scores post-surgery.