Objective To compare right anterolateral minithoracotomy and traditional median sternotomy in the treatment of left atrial myxoma. Methods Forty-one patients with left atrial myxoma treated in our hospital from January 2009 to January 2018 were divided into two groups according to the operation method: a right anterolateral minithoracotomy group including 15 patients, with 7 males and 8 females, aged 45.1±15.4 years; a median sternotomy group including 26 patients, with 10 males and 16 females, aged 49.4±11.9 years. The clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results There was no significant difference in preoperative clinical data between the two groups. All patients completed the operation without perioperative death. There was no significant difference in the operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic clamp time or the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. However, compared with the median sternotomy group, the right anterolateral minithoracotomy group had shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and postoperative hospital stay, and less volume of drainage and blood transfusion 24 hours after surgery (all P<0.05). After 3–106 months follow-up, no recurrence was observed in both groups. Conclusion Compared with traditional median sternotomy for left atrial myxoma resection, right anterolateral minithoracotomy is safe, effective and less traumatic. It can be used as a routine treatment for left atrial myxoma.