Poland Syndrome Treatment

Named after 19th-century British anatomist Sir Alfred Poland, Poland syndrome is a congenital condition presented at birth. Typical deformations associated with the condition include the underdevelopment or absence of the pectoralis muscle on one side of the body and webbed hands on the same affected side.

Other Names

• Poland syndrome also is known as Poland's syndrome, Poland's syndactyly, Poland sequence and Poland's anomaly.

Identification

• Polands-syndrome.com states "Poland's Syndrome is described as an absence or underdevelopment of the chest muscle (pectoralis) on one side of the body and webbing of the fingers (cutaneous syndactyly) of the hand on the same side (ipsilateral hand)...for people born with Poland's Syndrome, the breastbone portion (sternal) of the pectoralis is also missing."

Treatment

• According to Medicinenet.com, "Reconstructive surgery is the main treatment for those with Poland syndrome. Either existing chest muscle or transplanting muscle from another body area may be used to develop symmetry between the affected and unaffected side."

Treatment Procedure

• Medicinenet.com states, "If chest-wall ribs are underdeveloped or missing, bio-engineered cartilage can be implanted to help give the chest a more normal appearance. Therapeutic tattooing can be uses to create the appearance of an areola and nipple."

Usual Age of Treatment

• According to Medicinenet.com, "Reconstructive surgery may be considered in males as young as 13 years of age. In females, in order to ensure breast similarity in size and character, reconstructive surgery is often postponed until breast development on the uninvolved side has been completed."

Warning

• Poland syndrome can only be diagnosed by a medical professional. Cases vary patient to patient, so your doctor will decide the best course of treatment for your condition.