Midline cervical cleft.

Midline cervical cleft is a rare congenital anomaly of the ventral neck. A series of 12 cases of midline cervical clefts over a 30-year period is reported. This anomaly is part of a spectrum of midline branchiogenic syndromes resulting from abnormal migration of cells derived from the branchial arches. The preferred operative correction requires complete excision of the cleft with its underlying fibrous cord and closure with multiple Z-plasties.