Staged cleft sternum repair using dermal allograft and synthetic mesh

Cleft sternum is a rare congenital chest deformity that develops during the first trimester. Failure of the process of midline mesenchymal strip fusion leads to absence of the sternum, resulting in cleft formation. Multiple surgical approaches have been described in the closure of sternal clefts. An optimal surgical approach is still debatable. We describe 2 cases of complete sternal clefting treated with staging of the repair. Dermal allograft and synthetic mesh along with myofasciocutaneous flaps are used a bridging method to future definitive treatment. Most patients will require secondary cardiothoracic procedures for underlying cardiac conditions, and disruption of any primary repair is compromised on reentry into the chest. Staging this procedure avoids this potential problem. Also, concerns regarding chest wall constriction and cardiopulmonary compromise are minimized. Once the child has matured, definitive treatment can be pursued with more abundant autologous donor tissue. Our approach is safe with minimal complications and is well tolerated by the patients.