Secondary end-points
Cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross clamp time were significantly longer in the MI group (SMD 0.73, 95% CI 0.32,1.13, p<.01); (0.32, 95% CI 0.08, 0.56, p<0.1) (Table 3), yet with no effect on post-operative clinical outcome. On the contrary the MI approach resulted in reduced LoS (SMD -1.59, 95% CI -2.35, -0.82, p<.01); however significant heterogeneity was observed (p<.01). There was no difference in term of reopening for bleeding (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.03, 0.01, p=0.59), TIA/stroke (RD -0.01, 95% CI -0.03, 0.01, p=0.22), respiratory failure (RD -0.00, 95% CI -0.02, 0.01, p=0.6) and renal failure ( -0.00, 95% CI -0.02, 0.01, p=0.62), with no heterogeneity. Need for future re-do surgery was similar among the two groups;( IRR: 1.92 [95% CI: 0.39-9.53], p=0.42), with low-heterogeneity (p=0.98 and 1 respectively).
Tumor size did not differ significantly between MI and MS (SMD -0.47, 95% CI -1.29, 0.35, p=0.26); average maximum diameter was 12.6 vs 13.6 mm for MI and MS respectively.
There was no in-hospital or 30-day mortality. No conversions to sternotomy were reported (table 3).