Objective To compare the clinical effect of different strategies for surgical treatment combined with restrict rehydration on rehabilitation of rectal cancer patients in fast-track. Methods From January 2008 to January 2009, the patients diagnosed definitely as rectal cancer were analyzed retrospectively. The postoperative early rehabilitations were studied and compared in different fluid therapy with different surgical programs 〔high anterior resection (HAR), low anterior resection (LAR)〕. Results The difference of first aerofluxus, first defecation, postoperative first eating and first ambulation between fluid restriction group and tradition therapy group was statistically significant (Plt;0.05). And the difference of first aerofluxus, first defecation and post-operative first eating between HAR group and LAR group in tradition therapy group was statistically significant (Plt;0.05). Regarding to the overall incidence of postoperative complications, the incidence of pulmonary infection, wound infection and intestinal obstruction in tradition therapy group were higher than that in fluid restriction group (Plt;0.05). And in tradition therapy group, the difference in the incidence of intestinal obstruction between LAR group and HAR group was not statistically significant (Pgt;0.05). The difference of early recovery and postoperative complications between HAR group and LAR group in fluid restriction group had no statistical significance (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion Different strategies for surgical treatment of rectal cancer patients combined with restrict rehydration in fasttrack is feasible and can promote early rehabilitation of patients.