Objective   This study was aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of applying duodenal feeding tube in thoracoscopyand laparcoscopy-guided esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma.

  Methods   Clinical data of 73 esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent esophagectomy and received a duodenal feeding tube by thoracoscopy and laparoscopy from March 2011 to September 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Modes of operation included the separation of the esophagus by thoracoscopy, separation of the stomach by laparoscopy, reconstruction of the digestive tract, and so on.

  Results   A duodenal feeding tube was carefully placed at the site of esophagectomy of the patient. Operation time lasted from 180 min to 410 min, with an average of 273 min. The duodenal feeding tube was placed at 27 min into the operation. Intra-operative blood loss ranged from 50 mL to 450 mL, with an average of 120 mL. No post-operative death was encountered among the cases. After surgery, anastomotic fistula and gastrointestinal discomfort occurred in 2 and 5 of the 73 cases, respectively.

  Conclusion   Placement of a duodenal feeding tube at the site of esophagectomy through thoracoscopy and laparoscopy is completely safe and feasible.