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Case Reports
. 2021 Jun 23;27(2):10.7196/AJTCCM.2021.v27i2.103.
doi: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2021.v27i2.103. eCollection 2021.

Successful surgical repair of a sternum cleft using composite mesh: A case report and new technical note

N N M Razafimanjato  1 , G O Tsiambanizafy  1 , T D N Ravelomihary  1 , H J L Rakotovao  1 , F A Hunald  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Successful surgical repair of a sternum cleft using composite mesh: A case report and new technical note

N N M Razafimanjato et al. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med. .

Abstract

Sternal clefts are infrequent congenital malformations, particularly in their complete presentation. There are less than 100 descriptions of these defects published in the literature worldwide. We report a clinical case of lower sternal cleft associated with congenital laparoschisis in a 2-year-old boy. Surgery was performed because of recurrent pneumopathy and the risk of cardiorespiratory decompensation in the midterm. A semi-resorbable prosthesis was used for sternal closure. We have not observed any complications with this sternal closure system in our patient. This approach is easy, safe, effective and not harmful to a child's growth.

Keywords: bifid sternum; chest wall deformity; congenital abnormality; laparoschisis; pentalogy of Cantrell syndrome; sternal clef.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Demonstration of the paradoxical movement of the lower chest wall
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Chest axial computed tomography (CT) scan (A) demonstrates lack of fusion of the sternal margins, and (B) 3D reconstruction of the CT scan of the chest showing the edges of the lateral sternal bards.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Intraoperative view of the reconstruction steps. Dissection of the anterioperiostem of the sternal bars which will be pulled medially and posteriorly (A), (B) composite mesh used to reinforce the sternum, and (C) view of the completed repair.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Closing of the gap between the two sternal bars behind the sternum by the prosthesis (green arrow)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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