This video highlights the general approach to both complete and partial sternal cleft repair in two pediatric patients. The preoperative presentation was dramatic as both patients presented for surgery later in life (at three and seven years old) due to poor socioeconomic status and difficulty accessing specialty cardiac care. Both patients had stable repairs and good outcomes at one year postoperative.
I congratulate the authors for successful management of this rare congenital defect. The long-term results are satisfactory. Incidentally, we had an opportunity to repair the complete sternal cleft in an adult almost 20-years back and used autologous bone graft and mini plates (stainless) to reconstruct and support the sternum. In the area of 3-D printing and technology, it seems we may apply the knowledge in future for better understanding, planning and successful long-term outcomes.