ObjectiveTo explore influence of different nutritional approaches on liver function in patients after esophagectomy. MethodsA total of 160 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical treatment were divided into a enteral nutrition (EN) group and a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) group according to different medical staff. There were 80 patients in each group. Two and 7 days postoperatively, albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TB) of the 2 groups were examined to evaluate liver function. ResultsAbnormities in liver function (ALB, PA, ALT, TB) was common phenomenon in esophageal cancer patients, but there was no statistical difference in ALB, PA, ALT, TB on the 2nd postoperative day between the EN group and the TPN group (P > 0.05). On the 7th postoperative day, liver functions were improved than those on the 2nd postoperative day in the two groups. And frequencies of liver function abnormity in the EN group were significantly lower than those in the TNP group (P < 0.05). ConclusionCompared with TPN, EN has advantages in facilitating hepatic protein synthesis and recovery of liver function after esophagectomy.