The surgical approach for reconstruction of the sternal and epigastric defects in children with Cantrell's deformity.

Children with Cantrell's deformity manifest a midline defect of the lower sternum and epigastrium. A surgical technique is described that uses the lowermost sternocostal cartilages in reconstructing the defected sternum and simultaneously reapproximating the rectus abdominis muscles in the middle line for repair of the epigastric defect. Solid cardiac protection and superior cosmetic results were obtained without the use of foreign prosthetic material.