Introduction
Primary cardiac tumors are rare entities1.
Approximately 75% are benign with nearly 50% being
myxoma2, 3. Surgery should be performed soon after
diagnosis. The long-term prognosis of benign tumors is
excellent1, but complete removal of the mass is
mandatory. Cardiac tumors should be excised with a margin of normal
tissue in order to reduce the potential for recurrence. While recurrence
rates of benign cardiac tumors are low, relapse is likely the
consequence of inadequate excision of the tumor4.
Additionally, cardiac chambers should be irrigated and suctioned to
prevent embolization of fragments. If a defect is created, it should be
closed primarily or with a patch. Median sternotomy (MS) is the common
approach for cardiac tumor since it provides excellent exposure. This
traditional approach is associated with excellent early and late
clinical outcomes and remains the gold standard treatment for primary
cardiac tumors1.
Minimally invasive (MI) surgery has emerged as an alternative method to
MS. Nevertheless, a main criticism of the MI approach is that, given the
limited exposure of the surgical field and the surrounding structures,
complete and durable eradication of the cardiac tumor may be compromised
compared to the MS approach.
Therefore, the aim of this pairwise meta-analysis was to investigate
whether MI may achieve the same early and late outcomes as MS surgery in
the context of primary cardiac masses.