ObjectiveTo evaluate nutritional risk of patients with esophagus cancer before operation using nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS2002), and explore the relationship between nutritional risk score and postoperative results. MethodsWe prospectively evaluated the nutritional risk of 225 patients with esophagus carcinoma patients who were admitted in Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine between March 2012 and March 2013 using NRS2002, in accordance with disease severity score, nutritional status score and age score(age≥70 years old score was 1 point, < 70 years old for 0 point). There were 136 males and 89 females with age of 64.0±8.2 years (ranged from 41 to 85 years). Postoperative results include postoperative complications, mortality, and length of hospital stay. ResultsThe number of patients with preoperative score≥3 points was 75 (33.3%), < 3 points was 150 (66.7%). The incidence rate of postoperative complications was 26.7% in the patients with NRS2002 score≥3 points, and was 12.0% in those with NRS2002 score < 3 points(P < 0.05). And the total hospital stay time was longer in the patients with NRS2002 score≥3 points than that with NRS2002 score < 3 points(29.80±7.94 d vs. 15.30±2.05 d, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative NRS2002, the underlying diseases, and surgical method were risk factors for postoperative complications. ConclusionsPreoperative NRS2002 score≥3 points can predict more postoperative complications and longer hospital stay time in patients with esophagus carcinoma. It indicates that scientific nutrition support is necessary for esophagus carcinoma patients with NRS2002 score≥3 points. NRS2002 can be used as a predictive index of nutritional risk after operation of esophagus carcinoma.