Twenty seven-year experience with sternal cleft repair
José-Ribas Milanez de Campos1, João-Carlos Das-Neves-Pereira, Manoel Carlos Prieto Velhote
1Thoracic Surgery Department, Sao Paulo University Medical School General Hospital, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Summary
Congenital sternal cleft repair in neonates yields excellent aesthetic and functional outcomes. A posterior periosteal flap technique offers an effective surgical option for this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Congenital Malformations
Background:
- Congenital sternal cleft is a rare condition requiring prompt neonatal surgical intervention.
- Previous techniques for sternal cleft correction were presented in 1998.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the latest results of surgical correction for congenital sternal cleft.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific surgical technique for sternal cleft repair.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 15 patients operated between October 1979 and December 2007.
- Surgical repair methods included sliding chondrotomies, posterior sternal wall reconstructions, and combined procedures.
- Data collected included epidemiological features, surgical details, aesthetic and functional results, complications, mortality, and hospital stay.
Main Results:
- All 15 patients achieved good aesthetic and functional results post-surgery.
- No postoperative mortality or major complications were recorded.
- Two patients experienced subcutaneous fluid collection requiring prolonged drainage; mean hospital stay was 6 days.
Conclusions:
- Reconstruction of congenital sternal cleft using a posterior periosteal flap from sternal bars and chondral graft is an effective surgical approach.
- This method provides good aesthetic and long-term functional results for patients.
- Primary repair in the neonatal period remains the optimal management strategy.
