Background: Compare the survival rate, post-operative complications and long-term life quality in esophageal cancer patients underwent different surgical procedures. Methods: We followed up 401 cases from 433 cases (92.6%) of esophageal cancer patients. According to the surgical procedures, patients were divided into six groups to compare its effects. Results: The 3 and 5-year survival rates were highest in the MIE group and lowest in the SRELTELN group. At 6 months after surgery, the ECOG score was the MIE group < the Sweet group = the CIES group = the Ivor-lewis group = the Mckeown group < the SRELTELN group. The KPS score was the SRELTELN group < the Mckeown group = the CIES group = the Ivor-lewis group = the Sweet group < the MIE group. The MIE group had the lowest intra-operative blood loss and post-operative drainage. The Sweet group had shortest ICU stay. The Mckeown group had highest incidence of post-operative pulmonary atelectasis, pleura thickening adhesion, diarrhea, anastomotic leakage and the highest amount of post-operative drainage than the other three groups. Conclusion: The MIE group has a better survival rate and less intra-and post-operative complications than the other groups, whereas the SRELTELN group has the worst.