Upper Sternal Cleft Associated With Congenital Cardiac Defect: Single Stage Surgical Correction.

Area of Science:

• Congenital Malformations
• Embryological Development
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Sternal cleft is a rare anterior chest wall malformation due to failed embryonic mesodermal migration.
• It can be isolated or associated with other congenital defects, particularly cardiovascular anomalies.
• This condition affects the anterior chest wall's structural integrity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of a pediatric patient with a complex sternal cleft and associated cardiac defects.
• To describe the successful surgical management of this combined anomaly.
• To evaluate the cosmetic and functional outcomes of single-stage correction.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 6-month-old female infant.
• Diagnosis of upper sternal cleft and concurrent ventricular and atrial septal defects.
• Surgical intervention involving single-stage correction of both sternal and cardiac defects.

Main Results:

• The patient underwent successful single-stage surgical correction.
• Excellent cosmetic and functional outcomes were achieved post-surgery.
• A stable anterior chest wall was maintained, and the child showed no cardiac limitations.

Conclusions:

• Single-stage surgical correction is a viable and effective treatment for combined sternal cleft and congenital heart defects.
• This approach yields favorable cosmetic and functional results in pediatric patients.
• Successful reconstruction ensures long-term stability and improved quality of life.