ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of modified Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy, which preserves azygos vein, thoracic duct and peripheral tissues, and classic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy, which resects these tissues, in the treatment of esophageal cancer, so as to evaluate whether it is necessary to resect azygos vein, thoracic duct and peripheral tissues in esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.MethodsPatients scheduled for surgical treatment of thoracic esophageal cancer in Department of Thoracic Surgery of Sichuan Cancer Hospital from June 2011 to June 2013 were randomly assigned to the retention group and the resection group, each including 100 patients. The retention group included 87 males and 13 females with an average age of 60.53±7.72 years. In the resection group, there were 80 males and 20 females with an average age of 60.69±7.69 years. Patients in the two groups were compared for the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, postoperative complications, and number of dissected lymph nodes, etc. Postoperative relapse and survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years postoperatively were also followed up and compared for patients in the two groups.ResultsThere was no statistical difference between the two groups in general patient characteristics, number of dissected lymph nodes, or postoperative pathological stage, etc. (P>0.05). Compared to the resection group, there were shorter duration of surgery, less intraoperative blood loss, and less thoracic drainage volume in the first 3 days following surgery in the retention group, with statistical differences (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in type or site of relapse or metastasis (P>0.05). The survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years postoperatively was 78.7% vs. 81.3%, 39.4% vs. 37.5%, and 23.4% vs. 17.7%, respectively, in the retention group and the resection group, with no statistical difference (P>0.05).ConclusionModified Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy preserving azygos vein, thoracic duct and peripheral tissues could reduce surgical trauma, would not increase postoperative relapse or metastasis, and could produce long-term efficacy comparable to that of extended resection.