Combined Repair of Upper Sternal Cleft and Pectus Excavatum in a Child

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Congenital Thoracic Anomalies
• Cardiothoracic Surgery

Background:

• Sternal cleft and pectus excavatum are rare congenital chest wall anomalies.
• These conditions can impact cardiopulmonary function and require early intervention.
• Surgical correction is the primary treatment to restore normal anatomy and physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the successful surgical correction of a combined upper sternal cleft and pectus excavatum in a pediatric patient.
• To demonstrate a prosthesis-free surgical technique for pectus excavatum repair.
• To evaluate the long-term outcomes of this surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• Surgical correction of pectus excavatum without prosthesis.
• Primary approximation of the sternal cleft using dissected pectoralis major muscle.
• Partial thymectomy to ensure mobility and flexibility.
• 12-month follow-up to assess outcomes.

Main Results:

• Successful correction of both sternal cleft and pectus excavatum.
• Restoration of normal heart, great vessel, and respiratory dynamics.
• No prosthesis was required for pectus excavatum repair.
• Normal sternal and chest wall integrity at 12-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Surgical correction is effective for combined sternal cleft and pectus excavatum.
• A prosthesis-free technique is feasible and successful for pectus excavatum.
• The described surgical method ensures long-term chest wall integrity and function.