Isolated sternal cleft in a patient with atrial septal defect: A rare sole association

Abstract

Sternal cleft (SC) is a rare form of chest wall deformity with an incidence of <0.15%. It occurs because of failure of fusion of the sternal bars about the 7-9th week of intrauterine life. It could occur in isolation or as a part of a syndromic complex. This condition exposes the vital mediastinal structures to a huge risk of injury, aside from cosmetic issues. Treatment in the neonatal period is most favourable, though other modalities are available in the later stages of life, but it can be challenging. We present the case of a 2-month-old female infant with a superior SC with a single association of secundum atrial septal defect. She was asymptomatic. She was treated by primary repair to protect the underlying mediastinal structures as well as for cosmetic reasons. Such a repair resulted in good clinical outcome.

A 4‐day‐old newborn with an isolated sternal cleft: A rare case and literature review

“…Although sternal embryology has been carefully studied, the etiology of this defect remains poorly understood. Most isolated sternal defects were attributed to sternal mesenchymal plate fusion failure, which occurs during intrauterine development around the seventh week 3,4,10,10,12 …”

“…Furthermore, the complication and mortality rates of the surgery are low 10 . Therefore, regardless of symptoms, surgical correction of congenital cleft sternum should be performed during the neonatal period 4,11,12,15 . It achieves direct closure with a satisfactory cosmetic effect 15 .…”

Congenital Superior Sternal Cleft Repair Using Primary Closure

“…Sternal cleft is a rare congenital chest malformation with an incidence of <0.15% and is predominant in girls (1). It is most commonly diagnosed in the neonatal period and often associated with other congenital anomalies.…”

“…Sternal cleft is a rare anomaly of the chest wall (1). According to the literature, there are reports indicating that it affects people of older ages, adolescents, and in puberty, and different methods have been used for correction, including otologic graft or material.…”

Congenital Superior Sternal Cleft Repair Using Primary Closure

“…Written informed consent was obtained from the parents. Sternal cleft is a rare anomaly of the chest wall (1). According to the literature, there are reports indicating that it affects people of older ages, adolescents, and in puberty, and different methods have been used for correction, including otologic graft or material.…”