POLAND SYNDROME RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY : A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR MEN A WOMEN
Poland Syndrome is a congenital deformity that can be very troublesome for both men and women. It is not easy to hide a chest defect when wearing fitted clothes. This can also impact self-esteem and bring about intimacy or body image problems.
Nowadays, there are advanced surgical options to fix this problem. Are you the right candidate? Will you get good results? Is it painful?
Keep reading to find out everything about Poland Syndrome surgical options.
WHAT IS POLAND SYNDROME?
Poland’s Syndrome (also called Poland sequence or Poland anomaly) is a rare birth defect described by Alfred Poland in 1897. It is more common in men and usually affects the right side (70%).
The cause is unknown. However, researchers suggest that it may result from a disruption of blood flow of one of the main arteries to the chest and arm (subclavian artery) during the sixth week of pregnancy.
This syndrome is characterized by a partial or total absence of the pectoralis major muscle (chest muscle) on one side of the body. However, it syndrome can include a spectrum of chest-wall deformities affecting the rib cage (absence of ribs) and the chest wall muscles (underdeveloped). It can also affect the spinal curvature making it deviate to one side (scoliosis).
Patients with Poland Syndrome could present with upper extremities deformities and webbing fingers. Also, there are some abnormalities in the breast and nipples, including under-developed (hypoplastic) glands or absent nipples.
Most of the treated cases are mild and present with the absence of the pectoralis muscle only, though.

Medically reviewed by Dr Osama Bahsas Zaky
Written by Joaquín Pineda
Updated on August 3, 2021