TY - JOUR
AR - SCR-2021-4-105
TI - Complete Thoracic Ectopia Cordis, Dilemma of the Outcome: A Case Report
AU - Mohammed J , Aboud
AU - Noor , M Abudi
AU - Haidar , M Joudi
AU - Zeena , M Joudi
JO - Surgical Case Reports
PY - 2021
DA - Fri 09, Apr 2021
SN - 2613-5965
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.SCR.2021.04.05
UR - https://www.sciencerepository.org/complete-thoracic-ectopia-cordis-dilemma-of-the-outcome_SCR-2021-4-105 
KW - Ectopia cordis, complete, outcome, dilemma
AB - Background: Ectopia Cordis (EC) is a rare congenital condition where the heart is partially or completely lies outside the thoracic cavity (extrathoracic), uncovered by pericardium and skin. Many works of literature reported EC is a rare congenital abnormality with an incidence of about 5-8 per 1 million live births and includes about 0.1% of congenital heart diseases.
Methods: This was a male baby, weighing 2.900 kg, received with cyanosis with a defect in the anterior chest wall and heart protruding out through it. On initial physical examination, split sternum with complete thoracic EC (beating outside the thoracic cavity with a complete absence of the pericardium with the apex pointing upwards) were reported.
Results: The baby’s poor general condition did not allow further radiologic studies and echocardiography could not be performed. By the time, an arrangement had been planned for him to undergo cardiothoracic referral; unfortunately, he ran a downhill course and succumbed within 36 hours of life.
Conclusion: The important for submitting such findings will assist our team: pediatric surgeons, obstetricians, pediatricians and, neonatal intensivists to develop future management strategies when they are enrolled or confronted with such cases, by improving the outcome through a precise workup design to provide the optimal evaluation, diagnosis, and management roadmaps of potential cases of EC.