Respiratory movement of the membranous part of the trachea was investigated using cineradiography 3 days and 1 month after operation in 10 patients who underwent thoracic esophagectomy through a right thoracotomy without reconstruction via the posterior mediastinal route, 2 patients who underwent thoracic esophagectomy through bilateral thoracotomy with reconstruction via the posterior mediastinal route (BIL) and 4 patients who underwent lobectomy for right lung cancer (LC). Respiratory movement in the first group was significantly more amplified than in the LC group. In the BIL group, respiratory movement was comparable to that in the LC group. Respiratory movement was amplified after thoracic esophagectomy without replacement of the resected esophagus with the alimentary tract posterior to the trachea, especially in the early postoperative period.