【Objective】 To compare the relevant information of Ivor-Lewis and right chest-belly-neck three-incision esophagectomy for middle esophageal carcinoma. 【Methods】 The data of 198 cases with middle esophageal carcinoma, who underwent esophagectomy in my hospital from Sep. 2009 to Sep. 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. The Ivor-Lewis group included 130 patients, while the right chest-belly-neck three-incision group had 68 patients. 【Results】 The differences in the operative time, chylothorax incidence and surgical blood loss, 1-year and 2-year survival rates were not statistically significant (P > 0.05); but the differences in the postoperative hospital stay, injury of recurrent nerve and anastomotic fistula were statistically significant between both groups (P < 0.05). 【Conclusions】 Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy has advantages in treatment of middle esophageal carcinoma, for example, few complications and rapid recovery. This method is worth to be applied in clinical practice.