Surgical complications after the transthoracic operation for esophageal cancer mainly include anastomatic fistula, thoraco-stomach fistula, stenosis of anastomosis,gastric perforation, gastric volvulus, diaphragmatic hernia,wound infection, and some other pulmonary complications. Unfortunately, there are few reports about the complications caused by position change of the chest tube until now. We presented an unusual case of a patient who underwent a transthoracic operation for esophageal cancer in our department on August 17, 2006, and a lot of intragastric material was found in his chest tube 17 days later, endoscopic examination suggested that the chest tube had inserted into the stomach. We tried to discuss the etiology and clinical management for this case as well.