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BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that the type of resection and the number of removed lymph nodes are independent prognostic factor for an improved survival after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the type of resection and the number of removed lymph nodes have an influence on major postoperative complications.METHODS: The records of all patients who underwent an esophagectomy for cancer between 2002 and 2007 were reviewed. The stage, intraoperative data, pathology reports, postoperative complications and the outcome were reported. Postoperative complications were graded using the Clavien Classification. Major complications were defined as complications ≥ grade IIIb.RESULTS: The study population consisted of 365 patients with a median age of 63 years. En bloc esophagectomy was performed in 229 patients (63%) and transhiatal in 136 (37%). The mean number of removed lymph nodes was 54 after en bloc and 22 after transhiatal esophagectomy. Major complications after an enbloc esophagectomy were seen in 42 patients (18%) and after a tranhiatal esophagectomy in 23 (16%). The median ICU and hospital stay was 4 and 17 days respectively. On multivariate analysis, type of resection and number of lymph nodes removed were not associated with major postoperative complications. However survival was improved after enbloc esophagectomy and with increasing number of removed lymph nodes.CONCLUSION: The study shows that the type of resection and the number of lymph nodes removed are not associated with major postoperative complications. Further it confirms previous studies that the survival is improved after enbloc esophagectomy with increased number of lymph nodes removed.