The scintigraphic method of detection of sentinel nodes in total mesorectal excision is not therapeutic, but diagnostic, and demonstrates a high level of reliability. It can be used to indicate the nodes that should be examined to detect the presence of possible micrometastases immunohistochemically. However, this method cannot be used for all detected nodes as it is very demanding. In the evaluated group of patients, there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications caused by this diagnostic method.