Objective To explore the application of special medical food in early postoperative period of colorectal cancer patients under the background of enhanced recovery after surgery. Method 170 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery in the first hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2020 to December 2020 were selected and randomly classified into observation group and control group. The patients in the observation group were given a formula food for special medical use the patients in the control group were given ordinary liquid diet and semi liquid diet. The incidence of postoperative abdominal distension and diarrhea the time of first anal exhaust and defecation the use time of parenteral nutrition postoperative hospital stay and nutritional status 30 days after operation of the two groups were compared respectively. Result No significant differences were found in the incidence of postoperative abdominal distension and diarrhea between the observation and control groups all P >0. 05 . The first exhaust time and defecation time of the observation group were earlier than those in the control group which was statistically significant P= 0. 013 P= 0. 039 the parenteral nutrition time and the postoperative hospital stay of observation group were shorter than those of the control group the weight of observation group after operation decreased more than the control group 30 days after operation the albumin and prealbumin of the observation group were significantly different from that of the control group all P<0. 001 . Conclusion Usage of special medical formula is safe and effective in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery. It can further promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function reduce parenteral nutrition time shorten postoperative hospital stay and effectively improve the nutritional status in patients with colorectal cancer.