Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of surgical treatment by right posterior thoracotomy and laparotomy for patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma. Methods: From January 1998 to December 2000, 220 patients with esophageal carcinoma of the thoracic segment underwent a radical esophagectomy and a two-incision lymphadenectomy by right posterior thoracotomy and uppermiddle laparotomy, with postoperative radiochemotherapy. Results: The rate of surgical resection was 96.4% with a complication rate of 7.3%. The 1, 3 and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 86.9% and 82.6% in Stage I, 87.3%, 81.8% and 56.4% in Stage IIa, 81.1%, 67.4% and 44.2% in Stage IIb and 57.4%, 25.5% and 17.0% in Stage III, respectively. Conclusion: Esophagectomy by right thoracotomy and laparotomy is a safe and effective procedure. The long-term survival rate can be improved if proper postoperative radiochemotherapy is conducted.