Dr Vincent Nguyen is a French board-certified plastic surgeon expert and referent in breast and chest deformities (Poland syndrome, pectus excavatum …)
Poland syndrome is a chest and breast deformity that is still not well known. It may have an impact on patient’s self-confidence and social life as it is a visible condition.
Recently, lipofilling and custom-made implants have revolutionized the Poland syndrome treatment, making the surgery simpler and faster. The result is natural and without sequels.
- Custom-made chest implant, major improvement in the treatment of Poland syndrome
- Women chest deformity treated
- Barely visible scars, surgery adapted to patient
- Physical and psychological benefits
POLAND SYNDROME OVERVIEW
The Poland syndrome treatment may be considered as a reconstructive chest surgery.
This information sheet is issued by Dr. Vincent Nguyen, board-certified plastic surgeon in Paris, expert in the treatment of Poland syndrome.
It provides all the information about the surgery, scars, recovery, before and after comparison photographs, Social Security coverage and the costs of a Poland syndrome treatment.
What is a Poland syndrome?
It is a very rare condition (1 case in 30000 births), without known cause, characterized by the absence or underdevelopment of pectoralis major muscle, in men or in women.
It may be associated with ribs deformities, underdeveloped muscles on the chest and back (pectoralis minor muscle, latissimus dorsi muscle …) breast deformities (in mammary gland and nipple-areola complex) and also with homolateral hand.
In most cases women complain about breast deformity and men about chest deformity.
The syndrome varies in severity. Each patient is unique and needs a unique treatment.
What are the treatments for a Poland syndrome?
Treatment of Poland syndrome is determined by the severity of the abnormalities:
- For men: lipofilling and custom-made thoracic implant.
- For women: lipofilling, custom-made thoracic implant, breast implant or breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap.
- Areola may be reconstructed if it is absent.
- You can find more information about the different methods on the information sheets available on this website (breast augmentation with lipofilling, with implants, breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap).
May different treatments be associated?
It is often necessary to combine different treatments. For example custom-made implants and lipofilling.
What is the specific characteristic of Poland syndrome treatment for women?
Correction of breast deformity is the main request for women. Yet, it is very important to address chest deformity first, to improve the esthetic result.
PRINCIPLES OF POLAND SYNDROME TREATMENT WITH CUSTOM-MADE IMPLANT
What are indications for a correction of chest deformity with custom-made implants?
Chest deformities may all be treated with custom-made implants produced by computer-aided design (CAD).
How is the implant designed?
The implant is made with computer-aided design (CAD). The computer designs a 3D model from a patient’s CT scan. A customized implant is then made with silicone polymer in Sebbin lab.
What is the implant made of?
The chest implant is made of solid silicone not of gel silicone. It is a highly stable material which doesn’t degrade and has an unlimited life span. The implant won’t have to be replaced.
What are the advantages of a customized implant?
Custom-made implant conforms to the patient’s unique morphology and defects. The implant is invisible and the esthetic benefits are immediate.
LES ÉTAPES D’INTERVENTION DU SYNDROME DE POLAND PAR IMPLANT SILICONÉ
BEFORE A POLAND SYNDROME PROCEDURE WITH CUSTOM-MADE SILICONE IMPLANT:
- Two preoperative consultations with a board-certified plastic surgeon will be conducted as well as a consultation with an anesthetist.
- Before and after comparison photographs will be taken.
- A post-surgical compression garment, will be prescribed.
- Preoperative instructions are as follow:
- Quit smoking at least one month before the surgery and up to 1 month after the surgery to avoid any complication or necrosis risk.
- Discontinue any anti-platelet or blood-thinning medication 15 days before the surgery.
POLAND SYNDROME PROCEDURE WITH CUSTOM-MADE SILICONE CHEST IMPLANT SURGERY:
- It is performed under general anesthesia.
- It lasts about 1 hour.
- Dr Vincent Nguyen uses the most advanced surgery techniques that avoid the use of drains, and performs the surgery himself.
The final result is visible about 3 months after the procedure, but the physical and psychological improvements are immediate.
AFTER A POLAND SYNDROME PROCEDURE WITH CUSTOM-MADE SILICONE CHEST IMPLANT:
- This chest surgery is not a painful surgery. Only light analgesics will be prescribed.
- Patients may go home the following day or 2 days after the procedure.
- Swelling and bruising appear on the chest the following days.
- No nursing care is required after the surgery.
- You may have a shower the day following the surgery but you can’t have a bath before a month.
- All sutures are made with absorbable material and under the skin, it is not necessary to take them off.
- A compression garment must be worn night and day for 6 weeks to avoid bad scarring.
- Avoid sun on the scars for at least a year.
- Most patients may go back to work 15 days after the surgery, depending on the nature of their job.
- You may resume physical activities after 3 months.
- Follow-up consultations with Dr Vincent Nguyen will be scheduled (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and a year after the surgery).
POLAND SYNDROME WITH CUSTOM-MADE CHEST IMPLANT: PRICE AND COSTS
- The cost of the surgery may be covered by Social Security and excess of fees by health care mutual. But there is no coverage for the implant. Depending on its size it may cost 1800 € to 2600 €.
- The costs may vary depending on the patient, on the type of implant, on the scars, on its combination with a lipofilling procedure, on the location of the surgery, on the length of the procedure and other related expenses. The costs may vary from …. To … (find all the costs on this website).
- There may be a significant contribution of the Social Security and health care mutual.
- Make sure to find a board-certified plastic surgeon expert in chest deformity surgery who will evaluate your needs, discuss your expectations and your options to achieve the best results.
POLAND SYNDROME WITH CUSTOM-MADE CHEST IMPLANT FAQS
Where are the scars with a custom-made implant?
The scars depend on the malformation. Usually there is a scar below the breast or in the armpit. The scars fade over time and they become almost invisible.
What are the alternatives to custom-made chest implant?
Lipofilling may be an alternative to correct a mild defect. The patient must have enough fat stock.
Chest reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap may also be an alternative.
Can implant procedure be combined with lipofilling?
Lipofilling may be associated with chest implant. There also might be a second lipofilling later to improve the result.
Can I have a breast augmentation with implant after a custom-made chest implant procedure?
Yes, you may have a breast augmentation with implant or with lipofilling after a Poland syndrome treatment but not at the same time. You will have to wait about 6 months after the first procedure.
Can I have a custom-made chest implant procedure after another treatment (lipofilling, breast implant, or latissimus dorsi flap)?
Yes, it is very common to have a custom-made implant procedure if the results of the first procedure are not fully satisfying.
As it is customized, the implant conforms to the chest transformation. The surgeon uses the existing scars and doesn’t make new ones.
How long will I have to wait between the consultation and the surgery?
It requires about 2 months to have a customized implant made.
Has Poland syndrome functional consequences?
No, Poland syndrome doesn’t affect chest or upper limbs mobility and it has no effect on respiratory functions.
Does Poland syndrome psychologically affect patients?
Sometimes, the deformities are such, that patients consider their condition as a physical disability. The psychological impact prevents them from being bare chested in public or in private and they often have no self-confidence.
