Objective  To investigate the clinical application value of protein hydrolysate multi-nutrient powder in esophageal cancer postoperative patients. Methods  Sixty esophageal cancer postoperative patients were divided into the experimental group and the control group, 30 cases in each group. The experimental group received routine nutritional therapy, while protein hydrolysate multi-nutrient powder was administered orally or tube-fed, and the control group received routine nutritional therapy for a total of seven days. The time of initial exhaust, the relevant nutritional indicators and the incidence of abdominal diarrhea etc on the third day and the seventh day were observed and compared respectively, the differences between the two groups were significant differences (P<0.05). Results  After the nutritional therapy, the time of initial exhaust of the patients in the experimental group was significantly earlier [in the experimental group: (56.01±8.88)h, in the control group: (62.52±7.63)h; P=0.00)], the incidence of abdominal diarrhea was significantly lower than that of the control group, the differences were statistically significant. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was with no difference of the control group. The two groups of patients related to nutritional indicators had different degrees of improvement trend. The levels of prealbumin were significantly higher in the experimental group than that in the control group, the differences were statistically significant, but the serum total protein and albumin and transferrin between the two groups were with no statistical differences. Conclusions  protein hydrolysate multi-nutrient powder can effectively improve the negative nitrogen balance, promote gastrointestinal function recovery, with good gastrointestinal tolerance. It is of guiding significance to the clinical treatment of postoperative patients with esophageal cancer.