Introduction
Pectus excavatum, often referred to as sunken or funnel chest, is a congenital deformity where the breastbone (sternum) and several ribs grow abnormally, causing the chest wall to cave in and create a concave appearance. This condition can be particularly challenging for 13 - year - olds, a time when body image and physical activity are important aspects of a child's life. It may lead to self - consciousness, breathing difficulties, and limited exercise capacity. In New York City, several hospitals offer specialized treatments and surgical options for pectus excavatum. This article will explore some of the top hospitals in the city that are well - equipped to handle this condition in 13 - year - olds, analyzing their services, surgical techniques, and success rates.
Understanding Pectus Excavatum in 13 - Year - Olds
At the age of 13, children are typically going through adolescence, a period of rapid growth. Pectus excavatum may become more noticeable during this time and can have a significant impact on a child's physical and psychological well - being. Physically, it can cause issues such as chest pain, shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, and in severe cases, it can affect the function of the heart and lungs. Psychologically, 13 - year - olds are highly sensitive to their appearance and may experience low self - esteem and social anxiety due to the visible deformity.
The condition is often more prevalent in boys than girls, with a ratio of about five to one. It usually starts as a mild defect at birth but can worsen over time. Diagnosis is typically made through a physical examination, and additional tests such as X - rays, CT scans, or echocardiograms may be used to assess the severity of the condition and its impact on internal organs.
Top Hospitals in New York City for Pectus Excavatum Surgery
Columbia University's Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital
Columbia's pediatric surgery program is renowned for its comprehensive approach to pediatric surgical care. It is part of the #1 ranked children's hospital in New York by U.S. News and World Report and is one of the only designated level 1 pediatric surgery centers in the Northeast, according to the American College of Surgeons.
The hospital's approach to pediatric surgery is family - centered. Parents are often allowed to accompany their child into the operating room until the child is asleep, and they receive frequent updates during the procedure. After the operation, parents can be with their child in the recovery room. Other family - friendly features include 24 - hour parental visiting, parental rooming - in with the child, parent support groups, a pediatric pain service, a child life center, and the Big Apple Circus Clown Program.
For pectus excavatum, the surgeons at Columbia use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. The Nuss procedure, a minimally invasive surgery to correct pectus excavatum, is available. This procedure involves inserting a curved steel bar through small incisions on each side of the chest and placing it under the breastbone to lift it. The bar is left in place for at least two years to help the breastbone grow properly. The use of minimally invasive techniques means smaller incisions, less discomfort, shorter healing times, and less - noticeable scarring.
Contact information: Call (212) 342 - 8585 or request an appointment online. The primary location is at New York - Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York, 3959 Broadway (166th Street and Broadway), New York, NY 10032.
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian
This hospital is equipped with a new operating room dedicated to pediatric minimal access surgery (MAS). MAS involves performing surgeries through small "keyhole" incisions rather than large incisions through the chest, abdomen, or other parts of the body. The benefits of MAS include reduced pain, less need for pain medication, better cosmetic results (minimal scars), less blood loss, and shorter hospital stays.
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is the only hospital regionally to offer minimal access surgical repair of pectus excavatum. The minimally invasive Nuss procedure, or video - assisted pectus excavatum repair, allows for a complete repair without the need for a highly invasive procedure involving rib resections and fracture of the sternum. Dr. Charles J. Stolar, chief of the division of pediatric surgery at the hospital, emphasizes the hospital's leadership in this area.
The OR - 1 operating room at the hospital is a state - of - the - art facility. It is a computer system that allows the surgeon to control every aspect of the operating room, from accessing a patient's X - ray images or lab results to controlling the lighting and temperature levels. Four separate monitors can display live video from the surgery or any relevant patient information, a teleconference, and the ability to record video onto DVD. The system is also an ideal teaching tool.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top five children's hospitals in the country, it offers the best available care in every area of pediatrics, including the most complex neonatal and critical care, and all areas of pediatric subspecialties.
Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic
Stony Brook Medicine's surgeons have created a chest wall clinic specifically for pectus excavatum patients and their families. The clinic allows patients to meet the surgeons, devise a treatment plan, schedule any required preoperative tests, and have a system for post - op recovery follow - up.
The surgeons at Stony Brook use the Nuss procedure with cryoablation to treat pectus excavatum. Cryoablation freezes the nerves in the chest and helps to reduce post - op pain and make recovery a little bit easier. A U - shaped titanium bar is placed through one of the incisions, rotated so the U - shape is facing down, and then attached to the patient's chest wall with stitches. The bar is usually kept in for two to three years and is removed with a minor surgical procedure.
Prior to the development of the Nuss procedure, the Ravitch procedure, a much more invasive operation, was used for pectus excavatum correction. The Nuss procedure with cryoablation at Stony Brook offers several advantages, such as reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker return to normal activities. Nuss procedure patients usually stay overnight in the hospital, and opioid use is reduced. Most patients are sore for the first few weeks, and full recovery may take up to six months, but many are back to regular activities much sooner.
Stony Brook Medicine's surgeons are currently the only ones offering the Nuss procedure with cryoablation in Suffolk County. The chest wall clinic is held on Fridays at Stony Brook Medicine's Surgical Care Center at 37 Research Way in East Setauket, New York. Potential patients should call 631 - 444 - 2293 for patients under 18 and 631 - 444 - 2981 for patients over 18.
Comparison of Surgical Techniques
| Hospital | Surgical Technique | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University's Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital | Minimally invasive Nuss procedure | Smaller incisions, less discomfort, shorter healing times, less - noticeable scarring, family - centered approach | Requires bar to be left in place for at least two years |
| Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian | Minimal access Nuss procedure | Reduced pain, less need for pain medication, better cosmetic results, less blood loss, shorter hospital stays | Same as above regarding bar placement |
| Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic | Nuss procedure with cryoablation | Reduced post - op pain, quicker return to normal activities, currently unique in Suffolk County | Recovery still takes up to six months |
Considerations When Choosing a Hospital
When choosing a hospital for a 13 - year - old with pectus excavatum surgery, several factors should be considered:
- Reputation: Hospitals with high rankings and a good reputation for pediatric surgery, such as those mentioned above, are often a safer choice. The reputation can be based on patient reviews, national rankings, and the hospital's history of successful surgeries.
- Surgical Techniques: Minimally invasive techniques are generally preferred as they offer less pain, shorter recovery times, and better cosmetic results. The addition of cryoablation, as offered at Stony Brook, can further reduce post - op pain.
- Family - Centered Care: Since a child's surgery can be a stressful time for the whole family, hospitals that offer family - centered care, including parental involvement in the surgical process and support services, are more beneficial.
- Surgeon Experience: Experienced surgeons are more likely to perform the surgery successfully. Surgeons who have performed a large number of pectus excavatum surgeries and are familiar with the latest techniques are preferred.
- Location and Accessibility: The hospital's location should be convenient for the family, especially for pre - op and post - op visits. It should also be easily accessible in case of any emergencies.
Success Rates and Patient Testimonials
While specific success rates for pectus excavatum surgery at each hospital may vary, minimally invasive procedures like the Nuss procedure generally have high success rates. At Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic, the Nuss procedure has an overall satisfaction rating of 95.6 percent of patients being either satisfied or very satisfied after the operation.
Patient testimonials can provide valuable insights into the patient experience at a particular hospital. For example, patients at the Center of Excellence for Pectus, established in 2005 by Dr. Barry Losasso, have reported positive experiences. One patient said, “Dr. Losasso and his team were excellent! From scheduling, to financial, to the actual surgery. We came from out of state to correct my son's pectus and they were very accommodating with getting things done quickly so we could be home in time for Christmas. The surgery went smoothly and we have not encountered any issues. Dr. Losasso and Allison were very thorough and took the time to answer all our questions.”
Conclusion
In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals that offer excellent care for 13 - year - olds with pectus excavatum. Columbia University's Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian, and Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic all have their unique strengths. These hospitals offer minimally invasive surgical options, family - centered care, and experienced surgeons. The choice of hospital depends on various factors such as the specific surgical techniques offered, the hospital's reputation, and the family's preferences.
If your 13 - year - old is suffering from pectus excavatum, it is highly recommended to schedule a consultation with the pediatric surgery departments of these hospitals. You can contact them using the provided contact information to learn more about the surgical procedures, ask questions, and make an informed decision. Share this article with other families who may be facing similar challenges to help them make the best choice for their children's health.
