title: Sternal reconstruction by extracellular matrix: a rare case of phaces syndrome.
abstract: Congenital defects of the sternum are rare and due to a failure of midline development and fusion of the sternal bones. Surgical correction of a sternal cleft should be preferred during infancy for functional reasons. Chest wall reconstruction represented a complex problem in the last decades. We report our successful outcome of sternal reconstruction in a rare case of PHACES syndrome, in which the patient was submitted to reconstruction of the sternum and complete closure of the thoracic defect by the employ of an extracellular matrix XCM Biologic tissue matrix. We promote the use of extracellular matrix in surgical reconstruction of chest defects for its maneuverability, plasticity, tolerability and the possibility of growing with the children's chest getting a good compliance and optimal cosmetic results.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molinaro
authors.affiliation: University Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science. Pediatric Surgery Unit, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cerchia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Salerno, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo Giuseppe
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Di Crescenzo
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luzzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science. Pediatric Surgery Unit, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Lavinia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bulotta
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science. Pediatric Surgery Unit, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Messina
keywords: Midline development defects; Phaces syndrome; Sternal reconstruction