Poland Syndrome (cont.)

Medical Author:

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is Poland syndrome?
• Can Poland syndrome affect either side of the body?
• How frequent is Poland syndrome?
• What causes Poland syndrome?
• What are the features of Poland syndrome?
• What other defects are associated with Poland syndrome?
• Does Poland syndrome run in families?
• How is Poland syndrome diagnosed?
• How is Poland syndrome treated?
• What are the related (alternative) terms?
• For more information
• Poland Syndrome At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Poland Syndrome - Describe Your Experience
• Poland Syndrome Index

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

Other names for Poland syndrome include Poland sequence, Poland anomaly, Poland syndactyly, and absence of the pectoralis muscle with syndactyly.

Poland's syndrome
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MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
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• Poland syndrome is a congenital malformation affecting the chest muscle and hand on one side of the body.
• The cause of Poland syndrome is not yet certain.
• The main chest muscle (the pectoralis major) is absent.
• The fingers are webbed on the same side of the body.
• In girls, the breast on that side may be absent.
• Treatment includes reconstructive surgery and possibly implantation of bioengineered tissue.