Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for primary lung cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 95 primary lung cancer patients in our hospital between January 2014 and January 2015. The patients were divided into an observation group (45 patients) and a control group (50 patients). Standard thoracoscopy lobectomy was used in the control group. Uniportal thoracoscopy lobectomy was used in the trial group. The parameters of the two groups were observed. Results The surgeries of the two groups were successfully completed. There was no statistical difference in operative time, intraoperative transit rate, blood loss, number of lymph node dissection, thoracic drainage and pathology Ⅰ, Ⅱ period (P>0.05). Postoperative drainage tube time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain in the observation group were better than those in the control group (P<0.05). But postoperative drainage time in the observation group was longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). Also, the total hospital costs, especially on the use of expensive consumables, during surgery in the observation group was higher. And there was a higher risk of delayed incision healing or airway injury (P<0.05) in the observation group. One death in the control group during perioperative period occurred. Conclusion Uniportal VATS operation applied in radical operation for lung cancer is safe and feasible. It accelerates postoperative turnover, reduces postoperative pain. But there is a higher risk for airway injury or delayed wound healing, and an increase in use of medical consumptive stuff.