The resection of thoracic oesophageal cancer by blunt finger-dissection and stripping is a further palliative procedure at the disposal of the surgeon. This method represents an alternative to intubation or bypass without resection. The advantages are the better functional results and at least palliative removal of the tumour. This method should be used, however, if there is the possibility of carrying out radical resection from the oncological point of view, with the aim of curing the patient. The technical details are described and the indications and results discussed on the basis of six case reports.