Objective To explore the safety and clinical efficacy of right chest minithoracotomy for left atrial myxoma resection. Methods We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 32 patients with left atrial myxoma resection by right chest minithoracotomy (a small incision group, 9 males, 23 females at age of 59.1±9.5 years) in our hospital from July 2011 through March 2015. Meanwhile, we selected 17 patients with left atrial myxoma treated by conventional chest median sternotomy as a control group (7 males, 10 females at age of 60.0±9.0 years). Clinical results of the two groups were compared. Results There was no statistical difference in preoperative clinical data of the patients between the two groups. All the patients were successfully operated. Patients in the small incision group had longer aortic clamping time than that in the control group. But there were shorter postoperative mechanical ventilation time (9.5±4.9 h), shorter ICU stay time (18.6 ± 6.2 h), less amount of thoracic cavity drainage 24 h after drainage (103.8±19.4 ml), lower bleeding reoperation rate (0.0), less blood transfusion after surgery (1.4±1.1U), shorter ambulation time (38.5±6.9 h), shorter hospital stay (8.1 ± 0.9 d), lower postoperative complication rate (0.0) than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Right chest minithoracotomy left atrial myxoma resection is feasible, safe and effective, is worth promoting.