Objective:To compare 2 surgical approaches for radical esophagectomy and discuss which is a better operative pathway of lymphadenectomy. Methods:Clinical data of 96 patients of thoracic incision and 117 of left abdominothoracic incision with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower esophagus, who underwent radical esophagectomy from Jan 2000 to Jan 2005 in the first affiliated hospital of Sun Yetsan Universtiy,were analyzed retrospectively. Compared was made on number of lymph node resected, regional lymph node metastasis ratio,perioperative mortality,operation time,bleeding volume,surgical complication rate,postoperative hospital stay,median survival period between the 2 groups. Results:There was significant difference in superior mediastinum,and lymph node of the 1st,2nd group abdomen between 2 groups (P<0.05),but there were no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05) in the perioperative mortality,operation time,bleeding volume,surgical complication rate,postoperative hospital days,survival rate. Conclusion:Left thoracic incision is more effective on lymphadenectomy of superior mediastinum,Whereas abdominothoracic incision shows more effective on lymphadenectomy of abdominal region.