Purpose <p>Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is performed globally. A 15-item quality of recovery (QoR-15) score is commonly used to evaluate postoperative recovery. However, women are particularly at risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), anxiety and poorer overall recovery. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the factors associated with changes in postoperative QoR-15 scores based on clinical features in women undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.</p> Methods <p>Women who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in a randomized controlled trial (FDP-PONV trial) were included in this secondary analysis. Clinical variables were collected during the perioperative period in the original FDP-PONV trial. The explanatory factors were entered into a multiple linear mixed model for further selection.</p> Results <p>Overall, 852 female patients were included in this study. A linear mixed model was constructed over time with two clinically relevant factors. QoR-15 scores improved over time. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was positively associated with changes in postoperative QoR-15 scores. Intraoperative hypertension was negatively associated with changes in postoperative QoR-15 scores.</p> Conclusion <p>Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and intraoperative hypertension were associated with changes in the quality of recovery following laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in women.</p>