OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics of lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal cancer in order to provide evidence for the extent of lymph node dissection and the operation access.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed on the specimens of 72 patients who underwent radical operation of right transthoracic approach and the features of lymph node metastasis were explored.

RESULTSLymph node metastases were found in 48 of 72 patients (66.7%). In 1495 lymph nodes dissected, metastases was identified in 181 lymph nodes (12.1%). The rate of lymph node metastasis in the right and left recurrent laryngeal nerve was 30.6% and 12.5% respectively. Lymph node metastasis was associated with tumor size and tumor invasion depth (both P<0.05), while tumor location and differentiation of tumor cells were not significant (both P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal carcinoma can be easily found in the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. The best surgical approach of thoracic esophageal carcinoma is the right transthoracic approach.