Objective To compare the effects of different muscle relaxation degree on perioperative complications and survival rate of elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection. Methods A total of 60 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection were divided into two groups using random number table: the moderate muscle relaxation group (group M, n=30) and deep muscle relaxation group (group D, n=30). Both groups underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection under total intravenous anesthesia. In the group M, train of four（TOF）was maintained at 1-2, and the pneumoperitoneum pressure was 12-14mmHg. In the group D, TOF was maintained at 0 and postetanic count（PTC）was maintained at 1-2, and the pneumoperitoneum pressure was 8-10mmHg. The other anesthetic drugs and management during surgery were the same between the two groups, and postoperative patient-controlled analgesia was used. The dosage of propofol, remifentanil, norepinephrine used during surgery, the time from drug withdrawal to extubation, the pneumoperitoneum pressure, and the duration of pneumoperitoneum were recorded. The postoperative hospital stay, the numeric rating scale（NRS）of pain at rest or when moving at 24h, 48h and 72h after surgery, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting,（PONV） at 24h, 48h and 72h after surgery, and the incidence of postoperative systemic complications were also recorded. After 2 years of discharged, the patients' recovery quality was evaluated using the EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire (EQ-5D) and the EQ-5D index was recorded. The total survival period, progression-free survival period, and survival rate were also analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in the dosage of propofol, norepinephrine, time from drug withdrawal to extubation and pneumoperitoneum time between the two groups (P0.05). The dosage of remifentanil used in group D was lower (P0.05), and the pneumoperitoneum pressure in the group D was lower than that in the group M(P0.05). There were no significant differences in postoperative hospital stay, NRS scores at rest or when moving at 24h, 48h and 72 h after surgery, PONV incidence at 24h, 48h and 72h postoperatively. The incidence of postoperative systemic complications, EQ-5D index, total survival period, progression-free survival period, and survival rate were similar between the two groups (P0.05). Conclusion For elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection, maintaining different levels of muscle relaxation during surgery has no significant impact on postoperative systemic complications and long-term survival rates. Both moderate and deep muscle relaxation could be used safely.