ObjectiveTo review the research progress of the tissue engineering technique in the esophageal defect repair and reconstruction. MethodsThe recently published clinical and experimental literature at home and abroad on the scaffold materials and the seeding cells used in the tissue engineered esophageal reconstruction was consulted and summarized. ResultsA large number of basic researches and clinical applications show that the effect of the tissue engineered esophagus is close to the autologous structure and function of the esophagus and it could be used for the repair of the esophageal defect. However, those techniques have a long distance from the clinical application and need an acknowledged rule of technology. ConclusionTissue engineering technique could provide an innovative theory for the esophageal defect reconstruction, but its clinical application need further research.