Professor XU Jingfan′s experience in using "five dredging methods" in the treatment of esophageal cancer after surgery is summarized. It is believed that esophageal cancer is affected by pathological factors such as blood stasis

qi stagnation

phlegm turbidity

cancer toxin and other factors

which causes dysfunction of unblocking and descending

with repeated long-term relapse. If the obstruction symptoms of patients with postoperative esophageal cancer are not removed

and clinically "unblocking method" is used as the principal of treatment

thus the "five dredging methods" i.e. removing stasis and relieving pain

unblocking the esophagus and protecting the membrane

catharsis to descending turbidity

unblocking stuffy orifice and regulating qi

removing stasis and cultivating vital qi) were proposed.