After multiple references, Shikha's family approached a city-based cosmetic surgeon for advice. "The patient's case was very complicated. Even the nipple was absent, but there was a tuft of hair instead.
While all her friends discussed puberty-related issues in school, Shikha Singh, now aged 20 years, would feel left out. She spent her teenage years wondering why her right breast was missing. She never understood that she was suffering from a rare condition – Poland's Syndrome. The syndrome is a disorder characterised by a missing breast – either left or right, but not both. It occurs both, in males and females.
The disorder had put the extremely shy Shikha into an inferiority complex.
Speaking to dna, Shikha narrated how the disorder shattered her confidence. "I refused to socialise and had to constrain myself within the four walls of my home. My self-esteem had plunged and I hated my body so much that I refused to have my photograph taken at family gatherings. Even my posture was unnatural as I always tried to hide my deficiency," she said.
After multiple references, Shikha's family approached a city-based cosmetic surgeon for advice. "The patient's case was very complicated. Even the nipple was absent, but there was a tuft of hair instead.
Shikha also showed weakness in the left side of her face. A weakness in the facial nerve had resulted in an inability to move the face naturally. The girl also showed anomalies in her facial features with small eyes, overtly broad nose and a round face," elaborated Dr Mohan Thomas, senior cosmetic surgeon, Breach Candy Hospital.
Teenagers between 16 and 18 years experience an end in metamorphosis in their bodily structure. "They fully mature by that age. Just before starting to go to college, girls need to feel confident and good about themselves," said Dr Thomas.
Up to 5% males and females suffer from Poland's Syndrome in a population of one lakh. It is a rare birth defect that is caused by underdevelopment, or an altogether absence of chest muscles on one side of the body. It occurs due to hampering of blood supply at the embryonic stage to the collar bone during development of the foetus.
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, Poland's Syndrome is said to affect males three times more than females, and affects the right side of the body twice often than the left.
Over a period of more than three months, Shikha underwent a breast reconstruction surgery to overcome the disorder. Dr Thomas explained: "A small incision was made on the right side of the chest and tissue expanders were placed. We let the tissues expand up to a certain limit, and then after three months, inserted silicone gel-based implant matching the left breast. In order to give a better look to the newly constructed breast, a nipple had to be created on the surrounding skin tissue."
Shikha refused to go to college until her deformity was corrected. Now, she is elated at appearing 'normal' and intends to join a nursing college to pursue her education further.
"I hated my body so much that I wouldn't dare look in the mirror, but I love it now. My condition stopped me from feeling attractive for many years, but now after undergoing a series of surgeries, I feel energetic and active," gushed the 20-year-old.
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