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Introduction: Esophagectomy presents a high postoperative morbidity. However, the definitions used are variable. A multinational group (esophagectomy complications consensus group; ECCG) proposed standardized definitions. Aim: To evaluate postoperative complications in esophagectomy according to the definitions proposed by the ECCG. Materials and Method: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, based on a prospective database. Patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer between 1996 and 2018 at one center were included. The definitions of postoperative complications according to the ECCG were applied. Results: We included 215 patients (64% men, age 67 [31-82] years). Sixty-four percent had some comorbidity. There was a predominance of squamous carcinoma with 68%. The most frequent tumor location was the lower third of the esophagus (48%). An open approach was used in 74% and minimally invasive in 26%. Total postoperative morbidity was 67%. The most frequent complications were respiratory complications, which reached 27%. The leakage of the esophagogastric anastomosis reached 25%, 24% were type II (did not require surgical reoperation). There was a vocal cord paresis in 7%, all were classified as type I (did not require specific therapy). A chylous fistula was presented in 2%, in 1% they were treated with parenteral nutrition (type II) and in 1% a reoperation was performed (type III). Conclusion: Esophagectomy is associated with a high morbidity. The main complications are respiratory and gastrointestinal. The use of consensus definitions allows standardization and grading of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]