[Congenital sternal cleft]. / Kongenit spaltet sternum.

ABSTRACT

We describe two children with congenital sternal cleft. One child had a complete sternal cleft that was not operated upon, and at the age of 11 years the boy was still free of any symptoms. The other child had a superior partial sternal cleft that needed operative closure in the neonatal period. X-ray, CT scan of the chest and echocardiography are recommended for primary evaluation. Indications for surgical intervention are protection of the mediastinal structures, improvement of respiratory dynamics and cosmetic considerations.