Objective To investigate the causes, diagnosis and methods of prevention and treatment of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after resection of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinoma. Methods The datas of 19 patients who had DGE after resection of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinoma in hospital from January 1993 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Three cases were confirmed as mechanical DGE and these patients were removed obstruction and cured by operation in time. Sixteen cases were functional DGE and were cured by conservative treatment,gastric function recovered after 7-19 d.Conclusions According to clinical manifestation,upper gastrointestinal radiography and endoscopy,the diagnosis of DGE after resection of esophageal and gastric cardia carcinoma can be confirmed. The majority of DGE are functional and the patients could be cured by conservative treatment. But the patients who have mechanical obstruction have to operate in time. The best way to prevent DGE is to improve preoperative nutrition status,enforce standard surgical manipulation,maintain effective gastrointestinal decompression and strengthen postoperative dietary control.