Strengths and limitations
The advantage of this study compared with previous studies is that we
conducted a controlled study of total thoracoscopic AVR, upper
mini-sternotomy AVR and conventional AVR, and the conclusions of the
study was more reliable than previous single-arm studies and the
occurrence of early postoperative adverse events was also analyzed.
This study also has some limitations. Firstly, this study is a
retrospective study, and the selection of patients undergoing total
thoracoscopic AVR may have undergone operator intervention. Second, the
statistical results may be biased due to the insufficient number of
total thoracoscopic AVRs. Finally, some of the study subjects are still
in the process of follow-up, and we will continue to follow up in future
studies.