Classification of hand anomalies in Polandʹs syndrome

Polandʹs syndrome classically consists of the combination of unilateral aplasia of the sternocostal head of the pectoralis major muscle and an ipsilateral hypoplastic hand with simple syndactyly and short fingers. However, patients with Polandʹs syndrome may have a broad range of hand anomalies. In this paper, the author reviews 20 cases of Polandʹs syndrome and offers a classification of the hand anomalies. The hand anomalies are divided into seven types according to the severity of the deformity. Clinical cases are presented along with similar cases from the literature. The aetiology of Polandʹs syndrome is discussed and the various malformations that may co-exist with this syndrome are reviewed.