Under study were clinical and functional results of 27 patients aged 36 to 68 years with adenocarcinoma (pT2-T3) of the ampullar part of the rectum who were submitted to abdomino-anal resection with the formation of J-shaped colonic reservoir. In the nearest postoperative period partial incompetence of the coloanal anastomosis, necrosis of the reservoir wall and its inflammation appeared in 4 patients. In 6 months after closure of the protective transversostomy full continence was noted in 24 patients. In 3 patients only there was a periodic incontinence of liquid stools and flatus. The formation of J-shaped colonic reservoir in patients requiring the formation of low colorectal or coloanal anastomoses gives considerably better functional results of total resection of the rectum.