Abstract: Objective: To compare the influence of patient-controlled epidural analgesia( PCEA) and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia( PCIA) on relieving the postoperative pain of patient with thoracic operation. Methods: Eighty-six patients with esophageal surgery were randomly divided into PCEA group( E group,43 cases) and PCIA group( I group,43 cases),and treated with PCEA and PCIA analgesia,respectively. Their effects were observed. Results: The differences of the visual analogue scale at 5 d after operation,the dosage of analgesic auxiliary drug,the hospital stays in ICU,the time of postoperative walking and hospital stays between two groups had statistical significance( P 0. 01). The occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications,stomal leak and delirium in group E and group I were 3 cases 14 cases,2 cases 6 cases and 2 6 cases,respectively,the differences of which had no statistical significance( P 0. 05). Conclusions: The effects of PCEA on relieving the postoperative pain of patients with thoracic operation are better than that of PCIA. The PCEA can improve the postoperative care of esophageal cancer,reduce hospital stays and promote the patients rehabilitation.