Objective To compare the clinical application effects of needle-catheter jejunostomy and nasojejunal tube feeding in the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy.Methods The study enrolled 50 patients from Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, who received the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy from May to December 2015. According to the different nutritional approaches, patients under-covered the needle-catheter jejunostomy were assigned into observation group (n=25), and patients under-covered the nasojejunal tube feeding were assigned into control group (n=25), then by the different nutrition pathway patients were given the same nutritional approaches. The cannulation how easily or comfortably, nutritional condition and incidence of postoperative recovery were compared between two groups.Results The nutrient tube withdrawal rate, nasopharyngeal discomfort rate and nausea and vomiting rate in observation group were significantly less than that in control group (Z=2.673, 5.041, 3.271;P<0.05); the value of serum protein was higher in the observation group compared with that of control group 7 days after operation (t=3.841,P<0.001); the time of enteral nutritional, length of hospital stay and the exsufflation time of anus in observation group all were better than the control group (t=-6.171, -4.246, 5.128;P<0.001). There is no significantly difference of the morbidity related to nutrient tube, the number of white cells and the total protein level between two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions The needle-catheter jejunostomy and nasojejunal feeding are both safe work and effective, but the needle-catheter jejunostomy feeding is better.