Is a free function pectoralis major transplant possible?

Question

I have Poland Syndrome and am missing my pectoralis major. I've read that certain procedures are possible to transplant a muscle and still maintain its function. I would prefer not to get an implant as there is no functional benefit to it. I have no rib cage or other muscle deformities and was wondering if a free function pectoralis major transplant was possible?

Nicholas A. Flugstad, MD · Answer

Functional muscle transplant is possible for some conditions, especially for the hands and wrists. This involves transferring a muscle and its blood and nerve supply to function in another area of the body.  With Poland Syndrome, there is a visible defect from lack of pectoralis major muscle and lack of breast tissue in women. Functional muscle is not needed with Poland Syndrome since shoulder function is normally adequate without that missing pec muscle. In either case, male or female, an implant combined with possibly some fat transfer is the best way to treat this condition.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

A free muscular transplant to reconstruct a deficient pectoralis major muscle is not really possible. What has been done in the past from a muscular standpoint is to bring over the latissimus dorsi muscle and insert it into the sternum and along the ribcage. While this seems to make sense, it does not improve any pectoralis function since this is a different muscle that does not have the attachments of the pectoralis muscle. It also will have no true muscular function and thus much of the muscle will atrophy over time. Its only potential value is to provide a more vascularized tissue cover for an implant chest wall reconstruction.

Is a free function pectoralis major transplant possible?

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Is a free function pectoralis major transplant possible?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Pec Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.