0 05) between the two procedures in incidence of anastomotic leakage (25 0% vs 10 7%), pulmonary infection rate (31 3% vs 32 1%), incide nce of thoracic cavity infection (0 vs 3 6%), proportion of re-thoracotomy (0 vs 3 6%), incidence of d elayed gastric emptying (3 1% vs 21 4%), postoperative SICU stay (4d?2 3d vs 5d ?3 6d), and peri-operative mortality (3 1% vs 7 1%). The incidence of recurr ent laryngeal nerve injuries (28 1% vs 7 1%, ? 2=4 391,P =0 036) and arr hythmia (43 8 % vs 17 9%, ? 2 =4 627, P =0 031) in the THE Group were significantly higher than those in the TTE Group, while the intra-operative blood loss in the THE Group was signif icantly less than that in the TTE Group ( t = -3 100, P =0 003).ConclusionsVideo- assisted THE is a safe procedure. With the increase of the experience, the incid ence of post- operative complications is subject to further decrease.