ABSTRACT
Congenital thoracic deformities present a wide spectrum of
abnormalities. They include a myriad of complete and
incomplete sternal defects: thoracic ectopia cordis, thoraco-
abdominal ectopia cordis (Cantrell’s pentalogy), and bifid
sternum. The most frequent are the deformities of the ribs including pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, and Poland’s
syndrome. Asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy (Juene’s syndrome)
and spondylothoracic dysplasia (JarchoLevin syndrome) pose the greatest surgical challenges.
