Surgical management of the cleft sternum

Abstract

Cleft sternum is a rare disturbance of unknown origin in the normal central midline fusion. Three cases of upper cleft sternum are reported here, one associated with a pericardium to the skin sinus tract. Surgical correction of this anomaly in the neonatal period is advised, whether the infant is symptomatic or not. Simple closure of the defect during the first month of life avoids the more complex reconstruction necessary in older children.