Comparing early and long-term outcomes of “truly autonomous” senior resident-led with consultant-led cardiac surgery: a 10-year propensity-matched study

Truly autonomous cardiac surgery by senior residents demonstrated comparable in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes to consultant-led cases. Even in emergency procedures, senior residents achieved comparable outcomes to matched consultant-led cases. Our study shows truly autonomous operating in appropriately selected cases to be feasible and safe, providing evidence-based justification for progressive independence in cardiac surgical training.