Surgical Repair of Ectopia Cordis in a Sub-Saharan African Country (Benin).

BACKGROUND

Ectopia cordis (EC) is an exceptionally rare congenital anomaly with a poor prognosis, particularly in resource-limited settings.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a newborn with complete thoracic EC who underwent surgical correction on day 5 of life. Although cardiac repositioning and soft tissue coverage were achieved, the infant died 72 hours postoperatively from septic shock, reflecting the significant challenges faced in such contexts.

CONCLUSION

This case underscores the urgent need for improved antenatal care and technical resources to enhance outcomes for complex congenital anomalies in sub-Saharan Africa.