Primary repair of complete sternal cleft with pectoralis major muscle flaps.

We report the successful coverage of a complete sternal cleft with exposed pericardium using bilateral pectoralis major muscle flaps in a newborn. The patient was transferred to our institution with nearly complete sternal aplasia, rectus diastasis, and only dessicated pericardium covering the visible heart. Complete closure without compromise of cardiac function was achieved at 2 days of age with bilateral pectoralis major muscle flaps and fasciocutaneous advancement flaps.