title: Surgical repair of total cleft sternum.
abstract: There are two objectives in the surgical repair of congenital total cleft sternum:(1) to afford normal bony protection to the mediastinal structures and (2) to provide stability of the anterior thorax so that respiratory function and circulation can be maintained physiologically within normal pressure relationships. A case is presented, and a new method for repair of this life-threatening congenital anomaly is described.
mesh_terms: D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008722:Methods; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012272:Ribs / Q000601:surgery; D013249:Sternum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013536:Suture Techniques