case_images: PMC10360415_01
case_images: Three-dimensional reconstruction of chest CT showing oblique fracture through a congenitally fused sternum.
case_images: tsaco-2023-001155f01.jpg
case_images: PMC10360415_01_tsaco-2023-001155f01.jpg
case_images: F1
case_images: He was found to have an acute, displaced sternal body fracture with associated mediastinal hematoma superimposed on a congenitally fused sternum and manubrium with sternal foramen and bifid xiphoid process (figure 1).
case_images: PMC10360415_02
case_images: PMC10360415_03
case_images: Intraoperative photo of 26-hole ladder plate securing reduction of the sternal fracture.
case_images: tsaco-2023-001155f02.jpg
case_images: PMC10360415_03_tsaco-2023-001155f02.jpg
case_images: F2
case_images: While our typical practice with sternal fractures is to achieve stability through longitudinal plates placed in "railroad track" fashion, given his congenitally fused sternum and the fracture characteristics, we elected to place a 26-hole ladder sternal plate using unicortical screws (figure 2).
case_images: Postoperative chest radiograph showing plate placement and small left apical pneumothorax.
case_images: tsaco-2023-001155f03.jpg
case_images: PMC10360415_03_tsaco-2023-001155f03.jpg
case_images: F3
case_images: His left pneumothorax resolved without intervention (figure 3).