%0 Journal Article
%T Sternal cleft and pectus excavatum: an overlooked congenital association?
%A Piro L
%A Lena F
%A Roggero A
%A Stagnaro N
%A Mattioli G
%A Torre M
%J Pediatr Surg Int
%V 40
%N 1
%D 2024 Apr 11
%M 38602580
%F 2.003
%R 10.1007/s00383-024-05686-0
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Sternal cleft (SC), a rare thoracic malformation, is associated with pectus excavatum (PE) in 2.6-5% of cases. It remains unclear if these conditions are congenitally linked or if SC repair triggers PE. To investigate the potential higher frequency of PE in SC cases, we conducted a retrospective study of our SC patients.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We assessed PE incidence, progression, and management in SC patients treated at our institute from 2006 to 2022. When available, we collected pre-SC repair CT scan data, calculating the Haller Index (HI) and Correction Index (CI) and compared them to a selected control group.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Among 8 SC patients, 7 had concomitant PE (87.5%), varying in severity. PE management ranged from observation to thoracoplasty, depending on its degree. We observed a significant pre-operative CI difference between SC and control group patients (p < 0.00001). In the last two SC repair cases, we attempted concurrent PE prevention or treatment.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings suggest an underestimated association between PE and SC in the existing literature. SC patients may exhibit a predisposition to PE from birth, which may become more apparent with growth after SC repair. Consequently, PE prevention or treatment should be considered during SC repair procedures.