Primary closure of an isolated superior sternal cleft in a Nigerian neonate

Abstract

Summary Sternal cleft is a rare congenital anomaly which results from failure of the midline fusion of the lateral plates of the sternum during embryonic life. Only few cases have been reported in the literature. This is a case report of a 2-day old female who presented with a defect in the anterior chest wall from birth. Primary closure during the neonatal period is the preferred approach because of the compliant chest wall at that period with little danger of causing cardiac or respiratory compromise.