Objective      To analyze the learning curve of esophagectomy with thoracoscopy and laparoscopy for esophageal carcinoma.       Methods      From September 2009 to December 2010

38 cases of esophagectomy with thoracoscopy and laparoscopy for esophageal carcinoma were performed. Clinical data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 4 groups including group A (n=10)

group B (n=10)

group C (n=10) and group D (n=8) according to the operation order

and the operation time

blood loss

number of resected lymph nodes

rate of thoracotomy conversion and postoperative complications were compared.       Results      The operation time and blood loss of each group gradually decreased

but the differences were not significant (P0.05). No peritoneotomy conversion occurred. The differences of the number of resected lymph nodes

the rate of thoracotomy conversion and postoperative complications among the four groups were not significant (P0.05). The operation time and blood loss of the group A and group B were significantly different from those of the group C and group D (P0.05).       Conclusion      The learning curve of esophagectomy with thoracoscopy and laparoscopy for esophageal carcinoma is approximately 20 cases.