Esophageal carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis. Surgical resection remains the most effective method for this malignant disease. VATS esophagectomy has become more and more popular in China and around the world. Although VATS esophagectomy has been proven to be effective in preventing respiratory complications,there is still no ample evidences to demonstrate that VATS esophagectomy is as effective as traditional three-incision esophagectomy in lymph node dissection and is equal or superior in long-term survival. The purpose of this large scale prospective observational study is to compare the minimally invasive thorascopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy with traditional three-incision esophagectomy in lymph node dissection,postoperative recovery,postoperative complications,and long-term survival.