Chest-wall deformities

Sternal clefts may be partial or total. They are obvious at birth because the heart and great vessels lie beating visibly immediately under the skin. The heart is structurally normal. In the neonatal period, it is usually possible to bring together the two halves of the sternum without causing significant

• To recognize the different types of chest-wall deformity. • To understand the principles of surgical correction of pectus deformities.