Scar-specific outcomes following minimally invasive versus conventional median sternotomy in cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Karanjot Chhatwal, Anthony On Chun Siu, Sammy Arab, Ahmed Salih, Aishwarya Shah, Arian Arjomandi Rad, Gordon Lap Wai Chong, Monjur Showkat, Sangeeta Punjabi, Prakash Punjabi, Imperial College School of Medicine, Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Department of Cardiology, Royal Berkshire Hospital Foundation Trust, NHS England, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Division of Medicine, University College London Medical School, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Oxford University Foundation Trust, NHS England, School of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Department of Dermatology, London North West Hospitals NHS Trust, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

Perfusion

Published online on June 09, 2026

Abstract

Perfusion, Ahead of Print.
BackgroundWith improved cardiac surgical outcomes, attention has shifted to patient-centred outcomes, including cosmetic appearances of surgical scars. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) is often promoted for its cosmetic benefits, yet empirical ...