An open randomized controlled trial of median sternotomy versus anterolateral left thoracotomy on morbidity and health care resource use in patients having off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: The Sternotomy Versus Thoracotomy (STET) trial

Objective: Our objective was to compare off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery carried out via a left anterolateral thoracotomy (ThoraCAB) or via a conventional median sternotomy (OPCAB). Background: Recent advances in minimally invasive cardiac surgery have extended the technique to allow complete surgical revascularization on the beating heart via thoracotomy. Methods: Patients undergoing nonemergency primary surgery were enrolled between February 2007 and September 2009 at 2 centers. The primary outcome was the time from surgery to fitness for hospital discharge as defined by objective criteria. Results: A total of 93 patients were randomized to off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery via a median sternotomy (OPCAB) and 91 to off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery via a left anterolateral thoracotomy (ThoraCAB). The surgery was longer for patients in the ThoraCAB group (median, 4.1 vs 3.3 hours) and there were fewer with more than 3 grafts (2% vs 17%). The median time from surgery to fitness for discharge was 6 days (interquartile range, 4-7) in the ThoraCAB group versus 5 days (interquartile range, 4-7) in the OPCAB group (P = .53). The intubation time was shorter, by on average 65 minutes, in the ThoraCAB group (P = .017), although the time in intensive care was similar (P = .91). Pain scores were similar (P = .97), but more analgesia was required in the ThoraCAB group (median duration, 38.8 vs 35.5 hours, P < .001; tramadol use, 66% vs 49%, P = .024). ThoraCAB was associated with significantly worse lung function at discharge (average difference, -0.25 L, P = .01) but quality of life scores at 3 and 12 months were similar (P = .52). The average total cost was 10% higher with ThoraCAB (P = .007). Conclusions: ThoraCAB resulted in no overall clinical benefit relative to OPCAB.