Objective: To compare the effects of sufentanil and remifentanil respectively combined with propofol for intravenous anesthesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods: Ninety patients undergoing LC from March 2017 to March 2018 were enrolled, equally randomized into two groups, and received intravenous anesthesia with sufentanil and propofol (sufentanil group) or remifentanil and propofol (remifentanil group). The hemodynamic parameters and serum stress indicators at predefined time points during anesthesia, times to recovery of spontaneous breathing, eye opening and extubation, scores of postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS), and pre- and postoperative scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE) as well as incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results: In sufentanil group compared with remifentanil group, the heart rate and mean arterial pressure as well as serum levels of cortisol and norepinephrine were significantly decreased at the moment immediately after tracheal intubation and anesthesia induction, 5 min after CO2 pneumoperitoneum, and the moment immediately after tube removal (all P<0.05); the times to recovery of spontaneous breathing, eye opening and extubation were all significantly prolonged (all P<0.05); the VAS scores were significantly decreased at 2, 6 and 12 h after operation (all P<0.05); the MMSE score on the first postoperative day was significantly increased (P<0.05); the overall incidence of adverse reactions was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared to anesthesia using remifentanil combined with propofol, using sufentanil combined with propofol for LC is more helpful in maintaining the hemodynamic stability, weakening stress responses, lessening the severity of postoperative pain, quickening the recovery of cognitive function, and reducing the adverse reactions.