INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive techniques for aortic valve replacement have become increasingly popular. The most common minimally invasive approaches are mini-sternotomy and right anterior mini-thoracotomy. We aimed to review the literature and compare clinical outcomes for these two approaches. METHODS: Three databases were assessed. The primary endpoint was perioperative mortality. The secondary endpoints were reoperation for bleeding, stroke, operation duration, intensive care unit length of stay, cardiopulmonary bypass time, cross-clamping time, hospital length of stay, paravalvular leak, renal complications, conversion to full sternotomy, permanent pacemaker implantation, and wound infection. Random effects models were performed. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis (30,524 patients). There was no difference in perioperative mortality between groups (odds ratio: 0.83
95% confidence interval 0.57-1.21
P=0.33). In comparison with mini-sternotomy, right anterior mini-thoracotomy showed higher rates of reoperation for bleeding (odds ratio: 0.69
95% confidence interval 0.50-0.97
P=0.03), lower rates of stroke (odds ratio: 1.27
95% confidence interval 1.01-1.60
P=0.04), and longer operation duration (standard mean difference: -0.58
95% confidence interval -1.01 to -0.14
P=0.01). Other secondary endpoints were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that both techniques present similar perioperative mortality rates for aortic valve replacement. However, right anterior mini-thoracotomy is associated with higher rates of reoperation for bleeding, lower rates of stroke, and longer operation duration time.