Types Of Congenital Breast Anomalies
Following are the major of breast anomalies that can occur from birth:
1. Poland syndrome
This syndrome means a lack of muscle development on one side of the body. Also known as Poland anomaly or Poland sequence, it means the lack of chest muscle walls in the body one side and hence lopsided breasts. This anomaly implies either of the following:
- Absence of lower part of the pectoralis major
- Hypo or Aplasia of breast and nipple
- Reduced fat in the armpit
- Abnormality of the ribs where the nipple is placed high
- Elevated Shoulder Blade
- Underdeveloped Ribcage
The causes of Poland Syndrome are not specific but this can be due to underdevelopment of arteries in pregnancy which affects the growth in structures of chest and arm. In girls, the anomaly is sometimes highly significant. The breast is hardly developed.
What is the cure?
The surgeon takes note of anatomical structures that are not well developed and the aesthetic and functional irregularities. It is recommended to undergo reconstructive plastic surgery/ tubular breasts surgery/ tubular breasts deformity surgery.
At the beginning of puberty, the cosmetic surgeon places a tissue expander under the skin so that the skin stretches enough to match the other side.
After puberty when the breast is fully developed, the surgeon replaces the expander with a permanent implant. This is the corrective breast reconstruction surgery where the existing chest wall muscles or other muscles throughout the body are used to fill the missing portions.
2.Supernumerary Breasts and Nipples
This minor congenital malfunction is a relatively common case where one or more nipples are present in an unusual location. The nipple may be small, looking more like a birthmark. The extra nipple is present on the natural nipple or the milk line, extending from the axilla to the pubic region.
Supernumerary breasts are also called accessory breasts, which may occur with or without areola. Larger supernumerary nipples occur in aninframammary fold and are usually associated with the development of an extra breast. Such changes are more prominent during or after puberty. This problem does not cause functional malfunctioning,however.
What is the cure?
Undesirable or symptomatic supernumerary nipples are surgically removed with complete surgical excision. Breast tissue before the nipple is removed. The scars are generally minimal. It is usually an outpatient surgery where the patient is not required to stay overnight in the hospital.
3. Aplasia- Absence of Breast and Nipple
This is a disease that affects a child while in the womb. It shows effect while in puberty by the absence of one or both nipples. Worse still, as the patient ages, the breasts do not develop further. Since the formation of mammary gland and nipples are interconnected, the breasts also do not develop in the absence of nipples. However, there is a chance that small nipple with little or no breast tissue underneath develops.
In either case, the patient has to seek help to get back the most important gland in the body. This has aesthetic as well as psychological implications. This is possible in the hands of a cosmetic surgeon with the help of breast reconstruction.
What is the cure?
Breast Reconstruction is vital for good mental quality of life. For patients in puberty,the following steps are undertaken:
- Preoperative examinations are done and endocrine-related diseases are checked for. Breast MRI is done to assure the absence of breast tissue.
- After explaining the protocol to the patient, a tissue expander is inserted into the sub muscular layer of the affected side of the pectoralis major. The tissue expander compensates for the lack of skin or breast tissues initially.
- This is an outpatient process where the patient is not required to stay overnight in a hospital.
- If the patient is in the middle phase of growth, breast reconstruction intervention is done by inserting silicone breast implants. The silicone breast implants match the growth of the affected side with the unaffected side.
How will you choose the Cosmetic Surgeon and the Clinic?
For a technical intervention like the congenital breast anomalies, where there may be more than one surgery required, choosing the right cosmetic surgeon and the perfect clinic is of paramount importance. You need to check the following credentials to assure that you are at the right place:
- Check for the qualifications and certifications of the cosmetic surgeon.
- Make sure the doctor is a member of the cosmetic surgery branch.
- Assess the number of successful surgeries done.
- Also, the experience of the surgeon matters. This means the surgeon must have performed a good number of similar interventions in the past.
- The amicability and hospitability of the staff, the ambiance of the clinic and the approach of the surgeon play an important role in choosing an expert surgeon.