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Multiple bilateral asymmetrical deficiency of trunk muscles

Beer, Gertrude ; Goebel, Hans-Hilmar ; Mihic-Probst, Daniela ; Groscurth, Peter ; Manestar, Mirjana

In: European Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2009, vol. 32, no. 4, p. 199-203

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    Title
    • Multiple bilateral asymmetrical deficiency of trunk muscles
    Author
    • Beer, Gertrude. Institute of Anatomy, University Zurich-Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Goebel, Hans-Hilmar. Institute of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Mihic-Probst, Daniela. Institute of Surgical Pathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Groscurth, Peter. Institute of Anatomy, University Zurich-Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    • Manestar, Mirjana. Institute of Anatomy, University Zurich-Irchel, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:317524
    Summary
    Trunk muscles are an important source for pedicled and free flaps in reconstructive surgery. Unilateral deficiencies of trunk muscles are well known, either isolated or as part of Poland's syndrome. Bilateral muscular deficiencies and a "bilateral Poland anomaly” have also been sporadically reported, but this is rare. We report on an 82-year-old male cadaver with clinically obscure, asymmetric bilateral deficiencies of the majority of trunk muscles. There was a history of acute poliomyelitis in childhood. Histological examination of representative muscle samples of the trunk showed extensive muscle atrophy with fat and connective tissue replacement. This was compatible with the prior diagnosis of poliomyelitis. However, representative sections of the spinal cord failed to reveal the antecedent poliomyelitis. The possibility of subclinical bilateral deficiencies of trunk muscles has to be taken into account in patients with a history of poliomyelitis when planning reconstructions in cases of regional pedicled muscle transfers or free microvascular tissue transfers in reconstructive surgery