Thoracic surgery such as posterolateral thoracotomy is associated with severe postoperative pain. Pain control is particularly important, as adequate analgesia allows rapid mobilisation and prevents complications related to immobility. Over the last years, thoracic epidural analgesia has become increasingly popular and is now considered the gold standard after thoracotomy. Thoracic epidural analgesia improves pain relief and also significantly decreases the incidence of morbidity and mortality following pulmonary resection. It also reduces the length of stay in the hospital and long-term pain 6 months after surgery. This method is now offered to a majority of patients undergoing a thoracotomy in our hospital.