Poland Syndrome

Poland syndrome is a disorder in which affected individuals are born with missing or underdeveloped muscles on one side of the body, resulting in abnormalities that can affect the chest, shoulder, arm, and hand. The extent and severity of the abnormalities vary among affected individuals. People with Poland syndrome are typically missing part of one of the major chest muscles, called the pectoralis major. In most affected individuals, the missing part is the large section of the muscle that normally runs from the upper arm to the breastbone (sternum). The abnormal pectoralis major muscle may cause the chest to appear concave

While the complete expression of the physical changes associated with Poland syndrome vary among patients, common themes include:

1. Underdevelopment or absence of the main chest muscle (pectoralis) as well as secondary muscles of the chest and armpit region.
2. The end of the pectoralis muscle attachment to the breastbone (sternum) is absent.
3. The nipple, areola, and (in females) underlying breast tissues are underdeveloped or absent;
4. Short and webbed fingers (cutaneous syndactyly) on the affected side; and
5. Armpit hair on the affected side is missing.

As w Plastic Surgeons, we intimately understand how a person’s feelings about their chest and breasts can influence their confidence, self-image and self-esteem. At your Poland syndrome consultation, your surgeon will spend a great deal of time with you to get to know you personally and take a complete medical history.

We will explore your reasons for seeking Poland syndrome correction, examine your chest, and if you are an appropriate candidate for surgery, your options will be described in detail.

The autologous adipose tissue is withdrawn using a syringe by liposuction. This sample is centrifuged, and the intermediary fat phase is reinjected as a traumatically as possible at the site which needs to be filled. This latter is spotted before the surgical intervention, drawing the contour of the atrophic area and is beforehand prepared using an active cannulation to obtain a section of the numerous fibrous tracts, which is sometimes difficult.

The adipose tissue is spread with injections in the three dimensions. Graft loss represents between 30 and 50%. Several sessions may be necessary every few months. It improves the infraclavicular depression with a better filling and more modestly helps recreating the anterior axillary pillar.

There is an axillary incision of about 8cm. It continues directly until the costal bony level, preserving the vasculo-nervous pedicle of the serratus muscle. Detachment It continues until the edges of the locus drawn on the skin.

The implant consists of a medical-grade silicone rubber. It is firm in its center, in the thickest part, but increasingly smooth on the edges, which are tapered like an airplane wing. The folding it thus facilitated as well as the insertion with a minimal incision.

It is performed on two levels using absorbable suture material: on the subcutaneous level and using intradermal stitches on the skin. Thanks to a rigorous hemostasis, aspiration drainage does not need to be performed, which shortens the duration of hospitalization, the discomfort, and the risk of infection.