ObjectiveTo examine the differences between totally thoracoscopic surgery and median sternotomy in scope of trauma, postoperative recovery and postoperative complications. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 331 patients with cardiac myxoma in our hospital between January 2001 and November 2015. The patients were devided into 2 groups by the different methods of operation:a totally thoracoscopic surgery group including 196 patients with 71 males and 125 females at a mean age of 50 (42.00-57.50) years, and a median sternotomy group including 135 patients, with 53 males and 82 females at a mean age of 52 (38.00-61.00) years. The clinical records of the two groups were compared in scope of trauma, postoperative recovery, and postoperative complications. ResultsThere was shorter time in breathing machine and ICU time (P<0.001), and fewer volume in blood transfusion, blood loss (P<0.001) in the totally thoracoscopic surgery group. There was less pain and postoperative complications (P<0.001) in the totally thoracoscopic surgery group. The aortic clamp time in the totally thoracoscopic surgery group was not significantly different compared with that in the median sternotomy group (P=0.15) While cardiopulmonary bypass time was shorter in the median sternotomy group (P<0.001). ConclusionTotally thoracoscopic surgery is a safe and reliable method in treating cardiac myxoma. Our results suggest that totally thoracoscopic surgery has the advantage of fewer blood loss, blood transfusion, and postoperative complications compared with median sternotomy surgery. Totally thoracoscopic surgery leads to earlier recovery and less pain.