Best Hospitals for Pectus Excavatum Correction Surgery in New York City in 2025

Introduction

Pectus excavatum, also known as sunken or funnel chest, is a congenital deformity that causes the breastbone and ribs to grow abnormally, resulting in a caved - in appearance of the chest. This condition can not only lead to physical discomfort, such as reduced lung capacity, fatigue, and shortness of breath, but also have negative psychosocial effects, especially on children and teenagers. In New York City, there are several hospitals that offer high - quality correction surgeries for pectus excavatum. This article will explore these hospitals in detail.

What is Pectus Excavatum?

Pectus excavatum is a relatively common congenital deformity that occurs more frequently in males. It often presents at birth but may also develop during puberty. The main cause is believed to be the excessive growth of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, which pulls the sternum inward.

Depending on the severity, it can cause various symptoms. In mild cases, it may only affect a person's body image, making them self - conscious. However, in severe cases, it can compromise lung and heart capacity, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast heartbeat. Some patients may even develop a heart murmur due to the proximity of the sternum and the pulmonary artery.

Diagnosis of Pectus Excavatum

To accurately diagnose pectus excavatum and determine its severity, doctors use multiple tools:

• Visual examination of the chest: A simple yet important initial step where the doctor visually inspects the shape and symmetry of the chest.
• Auscultation: By analyzing the sounds of the heart and chest, the doctor can detect if the condition is affecting heart and lung function.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test records the electrical activity of the heart, helping to identify any irregularities.
• Echocardiogram: A non - invasive test that uses sound waves to create a picture of the heart, allowing the doctor to assess its structure and function.
• Pulmonary function testing: Involves breathing into a mouthpiece connected to an instrument that measures the amount of air breathed over a period of time, providing information about lung capacity.
• Chest X - ray: Gives a basic overview of the chest structure, helping to identify any obvious deformities.
• CT - scan: Provides a more detailed view of the chest, which is used to calculate the Haller index. A Haller index greater than 3.25 is generally considered severe (a normal Haller index is 2.5).

Types of Pectus Excavatum Correction Surgeries

There are mainly two types of surgeries to correct pectus excavatum: open surgery and closed (minimally invasive) surgery.

Open Surgery (Modified Ravitch Repair)

This is a more traditional approach. During the surgery:

1. The surgeon makes a cut across the front part of the chest.
2. The deformed cartilage is removed, while leaving the rib lining in place to allow the cartilage to grow back correctly.
3. A cut is made in the breastbone, which is then moved to the correct location. A metal strut or titanium bars may be used to hold the breastbone in the normal position until it heals, which usually takes 3 to 12 months.
4. A tube may be placed to drain fluids that build up in the area of repair.
5. At the end of the surgery, the incision is closed. If metal struts are used, they are removed in 6 to 12 months through a small cut in the skin under the arm, usually on an outpatient basis.

Closed (Minimally Invasive) Surgery (Nuss Procedure)

This procedure is mostly used for children and adolescents. The steps are as follows:

1. The surgeon makes two small incisions, one on each side of the chest.
2. A small video camera called a thoracoscope is placed through one of the incisions to view inside the chest.
3. A curved steel bar (Lorenz pectus bar) that is specially shaped to fit the individual's anatomy is inserted through the incisions and placed under the breastbone to lift it. The bar is left in place for at least 2 years to help the breastbone grow properly.
4. At the end of the surgery, the scope is removed and the incisions are closed.

Top Hospitals for Pectus Excavatum Correction Surgery in New York City

NYU Langone Health

NYU Langone's team of doctors is dedicated to providing the most advanced, personalized care for pectus excavatum patients. They have a comprehensive approach to treatment, which likely includes a combination of surgical and non - surgical methods depending on the patient's condition.

The hospital offers a seamless patient experience, from the initial consultation to post - operative follow - up. Patients can browse their list of providers who treat pectus excavatum and schedule an appointment online. Their team of experts is well - versed in the latest techniques in pectus excavatum correction, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Mount Sinai - New York

Mount Sinai provides detailed information about pectus excavatum repair. They offer both open and closed surgeries for pectus excavatum correction. Before the surgery, a complete medical exam and various tests are conducted, including an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, and CT scan or MRI of the chest.

The hospital also educates patients and their families about the pre - operative and post - operative processes. For example, patients are usually asked to stop taking certain blood - thinning drugs about 7 days before surgery. After the surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days, depending on the recovery progress. Pain management is a key part of the post - operative care, with patients initially receiving strong pain medicine through an IV or epidural and then switching to oral medications.

Stony Brook Medicine

Stony Brook Medicine has a chest wall clinic dedicated to pectus excavatum patients. Their surgeons use the Nuss procedure with cryoablation to treat pe patients. The Nuss procedure is minimally invasive, done under general anesthesia with a laparoscope and only requiring small incisions on each side of the chest.

The addition of cryoablation is a unique feature of Stony Brook's approach. Cryoablation freezes the nerves in the chest, helping to reduce post - operative pain and making the recovery process a little easier. Nuss procedure patients usually stay overnight in the hospital, and opioid use is reduced compared to more invasive procedures. The overall satisfaction rate of patients undergoing the Nuss procedure at Stony Brook is reported to be 95.6%, indicating high - quality care.

NewYork - Presbyterian Queens

The thoracic surgery program at NewYork - Presbyterian Queens is one of the most sophisticated minimally invasive thoracic surgery programs in the world. They offer the minimally invasive Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum correction.

The hospital's multidisciplinary team of thoracic surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, radiologists, pathologists, neurologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dedicated thoracic intensive care nurses, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, and social workers collaborates to deliver seamless, high - quality care to patients before, during, and after their hospital stay. The majority of patients are able to have their surgery performed through a minimally invasive approach, which results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker recovery and return to normal activities.

Columbia Surgery

Columbia Surgery offers comprehensive care for pectus excavatum patients. They perform both the minimally invasive Nuss procedure and the modified Ravitch repair. The ideal age for surgical treatment at Columbia is between 12 and 18 years, with the goal of improving breathing, posture, and cardiac function, as well as giving the chest a normal appearance.

After surgery, most patients leave the hospital within 3 to 5 days and can return to school or work within two to three weeks. The hospital emphasizes the importance of avoiding vigorous exercise for the first month after surgery and contact sports for three months after surgery. Columbia's surgical team is experienced and well - regarded, and the hospital is part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York - Presbyterian, which are consistently ranked as top institutions.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital

When choosing a hospital for pectus excavatum correction surgery in New York City, several factors should be considered:

• Expertise of the surgical team: Look for hospitals with surgeons who have extensive experience in performing pectus excavatum correction surgeries. Check their training, board certifications, and patient satisfaction rates.
• Treatment options: Ensure that the hospital offers the type of surgery that is most suitable for your condition. Some hospitals may have a preference for one type of surgery over the other, but it's important to have a choice based on your individual needs.
• Patient care and support: Consider the hospital's approach to patient care, including pre - operative education, post - operative pain management, and follow - up care. A hospital with a multidisciplinary team can provide more comprehensive support.
• Reputation and rankings: Research the hospital's reputation in the medical community and its rankings. Hospitals that are consistently ranked highly are more likely to provide high - quality care.
• Location and convenience: Think about the hospital's location and how convenient it is for you to travel to for consultations, surgery, and follow - up appointments.

Conclusion

In New York City, there are several excellent hospitals for pectus excavatum correction surgery. Each hospital has its own unique features and strengths, whether it's the expertise of the surgical team, the innovative treatment methods, or the comprehensive patient care. For example, NYU Langone Health offers personalized care, Mount Sinai provides detailed pre - and post - operative information, Stony Brook Medicine uses the Nuss procedure with cryoablation, NewYork - Presbyterian Queens has a sophisticated minimally invasive program, and Columbia Surgery has experienced surgeons and a well - rounded approach to treatment.

If you or someone you know is considering pectus excavatum correction surgery, take the time to research these hospitals, consult with their specialists, and consider the factors mentioned above. By making an informed decision, you can ensure that you receive the best possible care for this condition.

If you have any further questions or want to learn more about pectus excavatum correction surgery in New York City, feel free to explore the websites of these hospitals or seek advice from medical professionals. Don't hesitate to take the first step towards improving your quality of life.