Objective To explore the effects of different operations on respiratory function after colon replacement for esophageal cancer.Methods Fourty patients with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy from May 2004 to June 2008,were retrospectively analyzed.The site of esophageal anastomosis was at neck after sternum in 20 cages.at neck through esophageal bed in other 20 cages.Blood gas analysis and pulmonary fuction were monitored in these patients before operation and in 14 days after operation.Results VC% were (42.17±10.15)%、(49.52±9.56)%、(55.67±10.73)%、(60.27±10.52)%in patients after sternum and(37.65±9.52)%、(40.72±10.12)%、(47.02±10.65)%、(52.89±10.82)%in patients through esophageal bed in 5th、7th、10th、14th postoperative day with sigllificant statistical difference;FEV_1% were(60.55±16.71)%、(67.12±16.90)%in patients after sternum and(45.23±16.26)%、(50.52±16.72)%in patients through esophageal bed in 10th、14th postoperative day with significant statistical difference;PaO_2 were(17.56±7.32)mm Hg、(19.67±6.08)mm Hg、(17.17±4.85)mm Hg、(15.43±5.02)mm Hg、(11.32±3.79)mm Hg、(9.67±2.87)mm Hg、(6.98±3.26)mm Hg in patients after sternum and(20.17±7.04)mm Hg、(22.83±6.75)mm Hg、(20.67±4.31)mm Hg、(18.32±4.85)mm Hg、(16.02±3.71)mm Hg、(13.44±2.56)mm Hg、(9.01±3.17)mm Hg in patients through esophageal bed in 1st,2nd,3rd,5th,7th,10th,14th postoperative day with significant statistical difference. Conclusions After esophagectomy,esophageal anastomosis through esophageal bed has significant negative effect on respiratory function.