Objective      To assess the safety and feasibility of artificial pneumothorax in thoracoscopic and laparoscopic resection of esophageal carcinoma and the effect of artificial pneumothorax on respiration and circulation of patients.       Methods      Eighty patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent thoracoscopic and laparoscopic resection of esophageal carcinoma under artificial pneumothorax in our department from May 2010 to June 201

1. Of them

60 had double lumen tracheal intubation and 20 received single lumen tracheal intubation. Their HR

ABP

SpO

2

and PetCO

2

were monitored when the insufflation velocity was 3 L/min and the intrathoracic pressure was maintained at 6-8 mmHg before and after insufflation.       Results      No significant change was found in HR

ABP

and SpO

2

of the patients after artificial pneumothorax was induced. However

their airway pressure

PetCO

2

and PCO

2

were differently increased and their pH value was decreased

which returned to normal after insufflation was stopped. The operation was successful for all patients. No complication occurred in the lungs of all patients except in 1 patient due to mistake aspiration. All patients were discharged from hospital smoothly.       Conclusion      Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic resection is a safe and feasible procedure for resection esophageal carcinoma under artificial pneumothorax when the insufflation velocity is 3 L/min and the intrathoracic pressure is maintained at 6-8 mmHg. The effect of artificial pneumothorax induced by single lumen tracheal intubation is milder than that of artificial pneumothorax induced by double lumen tracheal intubation on the respiration of patients with esophageal carcinoma.