ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of microecological preparation on digestive tract complications and nutritional status after esophageal cancer surgery.MethodsA total of 146 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2017 to June 2019 were selected. There were 91 males and 55 females, aged 65 (61.9±8.2) years. They were randomly divided into two groups (an observation group and a control group, n=73 in each group) according to whether microecological preparation was given when they could take food one week after the surgery. Nutritional status and the incidence of gastrointestinal complications including anorexia, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (≥3 times per day) in the first month after operation were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe incidence of anorexia, nausea, diarrhea (≥3 times per day), anastomotic fistula and stenosis in the observation group was lower and the index of nutritional status was higher than those in the control group within one month after the operation (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in acid reflux, vomiting, lung infection and incision infection between the two groups (all P>0.05).ConclusionMicroecological preparation can regulate gastrointestinal microecological balance, improve nutritional status, reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal complications and accelerate the postoperative rehabilitation.