Anesthetic management of patients with Poland syndrome: report of two cases

Poland syndrome is a rare anomaly characterized by unilateral absence of the pectoral muscles and ipsilateral syndactyly and microdactyly. Associated anomalies include defect of ipsilateral ribs and costal cartilages. We report two cases of Poland syndrome. The first case, 24 year old female patient underwent mammoplasty. Although her pectoral muscles were absent, there was no rib or costal cartilage defect. General anesthesia was maintained with assisted spontaneous respiration through laryngeal mask airway. The second case, 18 year old male patient had rib cage defect. Although the patient was asymptomatic when he was awake, paradoxical respiratory movement could have caused inadequate ventilation during general anesthesia. Anesthesia was maintained with intermittent positive pressure ventilation through endotracheal tube during skin flap plasty of latissimus dorsi muscle. In both cases, there was no respiratory complication during perioperative period.