&NA;We have employed the operative plan described upon 7 patients with cancer of the rectum. This method is itself not without undesirable features but, as a two‐stage operation, has so far appeared to offer a nearer approach to the ideal one‐stage abdominosacral removal of cancer of the rectum than have other procedures.As much delay and preparation as desired are possible between the first and second stages of the operation.The duration of the steps is better divided, the greater part being done in the second stage when the patient is in the best state of preparation.The necessity of implanting dead bowel in the pelvis is overcome.The second stage involves the removal of a clean, empty rectum.Good posterior drainage is established immediately after the extensive pelvic dissection.