title: Thymectomy to achieve primary closure of total sternal cleft.
abstract: Total sternal cleft is a rare congenital malformation that may represent a challenge for the surgeon. In neonatal period, the primary closure is usually achievable, but at older age, this can be impossible. Moreover, the closure of the 2 sternal bars can bring to an exaggerated compression on mediastinal structures. Many different techniques for the treatment of sternal clefts have been reported in literature. We describe one case of total sternal cleft repaired at 4 months of age in which a partial thymectomy was performed to achieve the primary closure. We suggest considering this simple procedure in selected patients to reduce the risk of mediastinal compression.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Department, G. Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy. micheletorre@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torre
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rapuzzi
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jasonni
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005350:Fibroma / Q000151:congenital; D006321:Heart; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000151:congenital; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital; D008297:Male; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000151:congenital; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital; D013249:Sternum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013577:Syndrome; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000601:surgery; D013934:Thymectomy