Poland Syndrome

Poland syndrome is characterized by hypoplasia or absence of the breast or nipple, hypoplastia of subcutaneous tissue, absence of the costosternal portion of the pectoralis major muscle, absence of the pectoralis minor muscle, and absence of costal cartilages or ribs 2, 3, and 4 or 3, 4, and 5. The chest wall defect is often associated with a lung hernia. Clinical manifestations are extremely variable and rarely are all the features recognized in 1 individual. Fortunately it is invariably unilateral, allowing for an easier reconstruction. Single-stage reconstruction of the chest wall combined with simultaneous augmentation mammoplasty and transfer of an island pedicle myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi muscle are major improvements over previous multiple-stage procedures that provide less satisfactory cosmetic results in management of patients with Poland syndrome. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.