Objective To observe the effects of ultrasound‑guided retrolaminar block on postoperative analgesia in patient undergoing video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. Methods Forty patients scheduled for video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy were divided into two groups according to the random number table method (n=20): a retrolaminar block combined with general anesthesia group (group R) and a general anesthesia group (group G). Before general anesthesia, patients in group R underwent ultrasound‑guided retrolaminar block and could feel the blocked plane 20 min after blockage. Both groups adopted the same method for general anesthesia. Patients in the two groups received postoperative patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores at resting and during movement were recorded 2, 6, 18, 24 h and 48 h after operation. The length of post‑anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, the times of PCIA pressing, the doses of sufentanil after surgery, the needs for rescue analgesia, side effects, the length of hospitalization stay, and patient satisfaction were recorded. Results In group R, the number of sensory block segments at the midclavicular line was (5.7±0.9) 20 min after retrolaminar block. The VAS scores at resting and during movement in group R were lower than those of group G 2, 6, 18, 24, and 48 h after surgery (P<0.05). Group R presented remarkable decreases in the length of PACU stay, the times of PCIA pressing and the doses of sufentanil after surgery, compared with group G (P<0.05). There were two patients in group R (10%) and thirteen patients in group G (65%) who needed rescue analgesia with tramadol, with statistical difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Patient satisfaction in group R was remarkably superior to that in group G (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting and the length of hospitalization stay (P>0.05). Conclusions Ultrasound‑guided retrolaminar block is safe and effective for patients undergoing video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, and can provide good postoperative analgesia, with good patient satisfaction.