Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of non-gastrointestinal decompression after esophagectomy and the necessity of gastric tube or the time to remove gastric tube. Methods Thirty patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, were included in the trial from June to October 2017. The patients were randomly and equally assigned to a trial group (non-gastrointestinal decompression) or a control group (gastrointestinal decompression). There was no significant difference in age (P=1.000), sex (P=1.000), tumor location (P=0.732), pathological type (P=1.000), pathological stage (P=0.507), and operation time (P=0.674) between the two groups. The clinical effect between the two groups were compared. Results There was no statistical difference in incidences of anastomotic leakage (P=1.000), anastomotic bleeding (P=1.000), gastroesophageal reflux (P=1.000) between the two groups. And there was no statistical difference in time of the first flatus (P=0.629) and the first bowel movement (P=0.599) after operation between the two groups. Conclusion Without gastrointestinal decompression after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy does not increase the incidences of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic bleeding and gastroesophageal reflux, and has no significant effect on the recovery of gastrointestinal function. Without gastrointestinal decompression after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy is safe and feasible. Removing gastric tube on the second day after operation is reasonable and feasible.