Poland-syndrome-implant

Poland Syndrome Implant Surgery

Poland syndrome chest wall correction using a 3D custom silicone implant mirrored from the unaffected side. No donor site or muscle transfer. Day-case under TIVA. CQC-regulated Baker Street facility.

Custom 3D Silicone Implants for Poland Syndrome










Poland syndrome is a rare congenital condition caused by the disruption of blood flow to the subclavian artery during embryonic development. This can result in underdevelopment or absence of the pectoralis major muscle on one side of the chest. The condition may also involve rib cage abnormalities, breast and nipple underdevelopment in female patients, and hand abnormalities on the affected side.


Custom 3D silicone implant correction addresses the chest wall asymmetry caused by pectoral muscle absence. It restores chest volume and contour on the affected side without the need for muscle transfer, donor site surgery, or other major reconstructive procedures. Every implant is designed from the patient’s own 3D CT scan data, allowing the unaffected side to be mirrored for more accurate bilateral symmetry.


At Centre for Surgery, Poland syndrome implant surgery is performed by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register at our under as a day-case procedure. A two-week cooling-off period applies after consultation.


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What is Poland Syndrome?

Poland syndrome is a rare congenital condition characterised by underdevelopment or absence of the pectoralis major muscle on one side of the body. It affects approximately 1 in 30,000 people, is more common in males, and most frequently affects the right side.


The condition results from disruption of blood flow to the subclavian artery at approximately 6 weeks of embryonic development. Its severity varies considerably — from mild underdevelopment of the sternal head of the pectoralis major to complete absence of the entire pectoralis muscle with associated chest wall, breast, and upper limb abnormalities.











The features of Poland syndrome, affecting one side of the chest and sometimes the hand.


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Poland syndrome is typically diagnosed on clinical examination. Imaging (CT, MRI) confirms the extent of muscle absence and chest wall anatomy, and provides the data required for custom implant design.

Custom Implant vs Traditional Reconstruction

Historically, Poland syndrome chest wall correction required muscle or tissue transfer — typically a latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap from the back — to reconstruct the missing pectoral bulk. This is a major reconstructive procedure with significant operative time, a large donor site scar across the back, and a lengthy recovery.


3D custom silicone implant correction offers an alternative for patients where the primary concern is chest wall volume asymmetry rather than structural rib absence or complete breast reconstruction. The implant is placed through a small axillary or inframammary incision into a sub-muscular or subfascial pocket on the affected side — restoring pectoral volume and chest symmetry without donor site surgery.











Custom implant correction versus latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction for Poland syndrome.


In cases where significant rib cage abnormalities are present alongside muscle absence, or where breast and nipple reconstruction is required concurrently in female patients, a more complex reconstructive approach may be more appropriate than implant correction alone. Your surgeon will assess your specific presentation at consultation and advise accordingly.


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Poland Syndrome in Females

Poland syndrome affects females differently from males. In addition to pectoral muscle underdevelopment producing chest asymmetry, female patients may also have:











In female patients, the chest wall and breast components are planned together in a combined or staged approach.


For female patients with Poland syndrome where breast absence or significant breast asymmetry is present alongside chest wall asymmetry, a comprehensive reconstruction may be required — combining chest wall implant correction with breast reconstruction (implant-based or autologous flap), and potentially nipple and areola reconstruction as a staged procedure.


At Centre for Surgery, female patients with Poland syndrome are assessed individually at consultation. The approach is planned based on the degree of pectoral muscle absence, breast tissue presence, chest wall anatomy, and the patient’s goals. A combined chest wall implant with concurrent breast augmentation may address both components in a single session where anatomy permits.


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Am I a Good Candidate?

Custom implant correction of Poland syndrome is appropriate for adults with chest wall asymmetry caused by pectoral muscle underdevelopment, where the primary concern is restoring chest volume and contour symmetry.











Who is a good candidate for Poland syndrome implant correction.


Female patients with breast absence or significant breast asymmetry alongside chest wall asymmetry may benefit from concurrent breast reconstruction planning. Your surgeon will assess the full picture at consultation and advise on the most appropriate combined approach.


Patients with significant rib cage abnormalities (partial or complete rib absence) alongside muscle absence may require a more complex staged reconstruction. This will be identified at imaging review and discussed at consultation.


Your surgeon will review your CT or 3D scan data, examine the affected chest wall clinically, and advise honestly on whether implant correction alone addresses your anatomy, or whether additional procedures are required.

The 3D Custom Implant Design Process for Poland Syndrome










The key challenge in Poland syndrome implant design is accurately replicating the pectoral volume and contour of the unaffected side. Unlike pectus excavatum — where the defect is midline and broadly symmetrical — Poland syndrome presents a unilateral asymmetry that requires direct comparison of both sides of the chest to design the corrective implant.


A high-resolution 3D CT scan captures the precise shape, contours, and tissue dimensions of both sides of the chest — the affected side (showing the degree of pectoral absence) and the unaffected side (providing the mirror template for implant design).


The scan data is processed to segment skin, fascia, muscle, and bone on both sides, creating a complete digital anatomy model.











Using CAD software, the unaffected side is mirrored to create the target anatomy for the affected side. The implant is then designed to fill the volume and contour deficit on the affected side — with precise thickness, shape, and volume to achieve bilateral symmetry.


A polyurethane prototype is produced to verify fit before manufacturing the final implant.


The final implant is cast in medical-grade silicone — biocompatible, durable, and designed to maintain its shape and volume permanently.










What Does Poland Syndrome Implant Surgery Involve?

Poland syndrome implant surgery is performed as a day-case at our Baker Street facility under TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia). The procedure typically takes 1.5–2.5 hours depending on the complexity of the correction.











The steps involved in Poland syndrome implant surgery, from marking to closure.


Before the procedure begins, your surgeon marks the incision site and planned implant position with pre-operative markings. Both sides of the chest are assessed to confirm symmetry targets.


TIVA is administered by your consultant anaesthetist. You will be fully asleep throughout.


A Single Mole Check incision of approximately 7 cm is made — typically at the axillary border or inframammary region on the affected side, positioned to minimise visible scarring while providing access to create the implant pocket.


A precise pocket is created beneath the pectoralis fascia or in the subfascial plane on the affected side, sculpted to the exact dimensions of the custom implant. Accurate pocket dimensions ensure stable, well-positioned implant placement.


The custom silicone implant is carefully inserted and positioned to restore the pectoral volume and chest contour on the affected side. The position is assessed from both sides to confirm symmetry before closure.


The incision is closed in layers using absorbable sutures — no removal appointment needed. A sterile dressing is applied and a thoracic compression garment fitted before discharge.


You recover in our monitored day suite before discharge with your responsible adult, post-operative medications, written care instructions, and a direct 24/7 clinical support number.

Benefits of Poland Syndrome Implant Correction










Key benefits of correcting Poland syndrome with a custom 3D implant.


The implant is designed by mirroring the unaffected side — providing a level of anatomical accuracy that no standard implant can match. The result is a correction that is tailored specifically to restore symmetry to each individual patient’s chest.


Traditional Poland syndrome reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap requires a large incision across the back, harvest of the muscle, and a recovery involving both chest and back. Custom implant correction avoids all donor site surgery entirely.


Performed under TIVA at our Baker Street facility with same-day discharge. No overnight hospital admission required.


Medical-grade silicone implants maintain their shape and volume permanently. The result is not affected by normal weight fluctuation.


The implant can be adjusted or removed if clinically indicated — unlike muscle transfer or structural reconstruction which is irreversible.


Where breast reconstruction is also required on the affected side, concurrent or staged breast augmentation can be planned alongside chest wall implant correction — addressing both components with a coordinated surgical plan.

Recovery After Poland Syndrome Implant Surgery

Recovery from Poland syndrome implant surgery follows a similar timeline to pectus excavatum implant correction.











Typical recovery timeline after Poland syndrome implant surgery, from day one to three months.


Rest at home. Swelling and bruising on the treated side are normal. Discomfort is typically well-managed with paracetamol — most patients do not require stronger analgesia beyond the first 48 hours. Keep dressings clean and dry. Wear the thoracic compression garment continuously. Our nursing team calls the morning after surgery.


Wound check at our clinic. Absorbable sutures only — no removal needed. Where a small seroma has developed, this is easily drained. Compression garment continues for 2 weeks total.


Return to desk work: typically by day 7–14. Avoid strenuous upper body exercise and heavy lifting. Driving resumes once comfortable performing an emergency stop.


Surgeon review. Gradual return to upper body exercise.


Full return to sport and high-impact exercise. Complete healing of the chest wall around the implant takes approximately 3 months. The chest contour continues to settle as swelling fully resolves. Scar continues to fade over 12 months.


24/7 surgeon-led clinical support for the first 48 hours. Surgeon review at 6 weeks. 3-month assessment.

Before & After Results

All patients whose photographs appear below have given full written consent for the use of their images for educational purposes. Individual results vary depending on the degree of Poland syndrome, the extent of pectoral muscle absence, and each patient’s anatomy.












































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Why Choose Centre for Surgery for Poland Syndrome Correction?

Poland syndrome implant surgery at Centre for Surgery is performed by consultant plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register — members of BAPRAS and ISAPS. Our chest wall implant programme is led by Professor Ertan Erel — FRCS(Plast), with specific expertise in complex reconstructive chest surgery and 3D custom implant design.


Every Poland syndrome implant is designed by mirroring the unaffected side from the patient’s own 3D CT scan data — producing an implant that restores bilateral symmetry with a level of accuracy no standard implant can achieve.


Poland syndrome correction is planned individually. For female patients requiring breast reconstruction alongside chest wall correction, concurrent or staged breast reconstruction can be coordinated as part of the overall plan.


Custom implant correction avoids the LD muscle flap donor site — no back scar, no abdominal muscle sacrifice, no additional recovery site.


Surgery takes place at our purpose-built private hospital at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone, independently inspected and rated "Good" by the Care Quality Commission.


All procedures use TIVA — the safest form of general anaesthesia for day-case surgery.


A mandatory two-week cooling-off period applies after every consultation.


24/7 surgeon-led support for the first 48 hours. Wound check at 7 days. Surgeon review at 6 weeks. 3-month assessment.


Your initial consultation is £100, redeemable against the cost of your procedure. 0% APR finance available through .










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