Abstract: Objective To compare the safety and short-term clinical outcomes of 3D laparoscopy versus conventional open radical surgery in the treatment of left colon cancer. Methods Clinical data about 124 patients with left colon cancer who received radical surgery in Chinese PLA General Hospital from November 2015 to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients in observation group (n=61) received 3D laparoscopy, while the control group (n=63) with conventional open radical surgery.The operating time, time of retention catheterization, time to ambulation, time to take liquid food, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization and number of lymph node dissected were compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in baseline data between two groups, such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), tumor location, tumor size, preoperative obstruction and so on (all P< 0.05). There were significant differences in operating time (85.3±10.1) min vs (112.4±12.3) min, P=0.000, amount of operative bleeding (88.7±15.6) ml vs (115.6±16.6) ml, P=0.001, incisive length (7.4±2.9) cm vs(15.1±3.7) cm, P=0.000, fi rst time to get out of bed (24.8±6.2) h vs (36.2±7.4) h, P=0.001, time of indwelling urinary catheter(2.3±1.1) d vs (3.5±1.7) d, P=0.002, time for taking liquid food (47.9±7.3) h vs (55.4±6.5) h, P=0.001, and hospitalization time (7.1±2.6) d vs (10.4±2.7) d, P=0.001. However, no significant difference was found in number of harvested lymph nodes(15.4±2.7) vs (14.8±2.9), P=0.242. Anastomotic fi stula occurred in 3 cases in the observation group, and they were cured and discharged after 2 weeks of conservative treatment such as peritoneal fl ushing. One patient with intestinal obstruction was cured and discharged after symptomatic treatment including nutritional support. In the control group, 3 cases of anastomotic fi stula were cured and discharged after 2 weeks of conservative treatment such as peritoneal fl ushing, 2 patients with intestinal obstruction were cured and discharged after symptomatic treatment. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between two groups(P=0.914). Conclusion Compared with traditional open radical resection, 3D laparoscopic assisted treatment for left colon cancer is safe and feasible, and it also has the advantages of quick recovery after surgery.