Objective To investigate the value of laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer. Methods The study included 49 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer （laparoscopic group）, and 33 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent open radical resection of colorectal cancer （open surgery group）. The clinical effects of the two groups were retrospectively analyzed. Results The operation time of the laparoscopic group was significantly longer than that of the open surgery group （P<0.05）. No significant differences were found in the number of lymph nodes dissected, one-year mortality, and tumor recurrence rate between the two groups （P>0.05）. However, the amount of intraoperative blood loss, exhaust time, hospital stay, and the incidence of complications in the laparoscopic group were significantly lower than those in the open surgery group （P<0.05）. Conclusion Laparoscopic radical resection could achieve the same short-term efficacy as open surgery in the treatment of colorectal cancer, with less trauma, fewer postoperative complications, and faster postoperative recovery, thus is worthy of clinical promotion.