Introduction

Mild pectus excavatum, a relatively common chest wall disorder, can cause concerns for patients and their families. Finding the right hospital for diagnosis and treatment is crucial. In Albany, there are several hospitals that offer services related to pectus excavatum. This guide will present a ranking list of hospitals in Albany for mild pectus excavatum, along with detailed information about each hospital's capabilities, specialties, and patient experiences.

What is Mild Pectus Excavatum?

Pectus excavatum, also known as sunken chest syndrome, is characterized by a concavity of the sternum. It occurs in approximately one out of 1,000 children and is about five times more common in boys than girls. Usually noted at birth as a mild condition, it can become progressively more pronounced over time. Additional symptoms and conditions can include chest pain, shortness of breath (especially on exertion), mitral valve prolapse, associated syndromes affecting skeletal growth, and scoliosis (Nationwide Children's Hospital).

How Hospitals are Ranked

U.S. News & World Report evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals nationwide across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions to create the best hospitals rankings. Objective measures such as risk - adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, and level of nursing care are considered. Hospitals are awarded a “best” designation if they excel at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care, and patient experience. A “high performing” designation is given to hospitals that consistently deliver high - quality care for specific medical procedures and conditions (U.S. News & World Report).

Ranking List of Hospitals in Albany for Mild Pectus Excavatum

1. St. Peter’s Hospital

St. Peter’s Hospital, part of St. Peter’s Health Partners, retained its #1 ranking in Albany and was named a best regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report on its list of 2024 - 2025 best hospitals. It is ranked 17th in New York State. This is the 11th consecutive year it has received the best regional hospital designation.

• Specialties and High - Performing Procedures/Conditions: St. Peter’s Hospital was ranked as a high - performing hospital for two adult specialties and 12 conditions/procedures. The two adult specialties are gastroenterology/gi surgery and urology. The procedures/conditions include aortic valve surgery, colon cancer surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart attack, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, kidney failure, knee replacement, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, and prostate cancer surgery. Although pectus excavatum is not explicitly listed, the hospital's high - performing status in multiple specialties and procedures indicates a strong medical infrastructure and expertise that could potentially support the care of patients with mild pectus excavatum.
• Facilities and Services: As the largest Catholic acute care community hospital in northeastern New York State, it offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services and diverse outreach programs in areas such as women’s and children’s services, neonatal intensive care, rehabilitation, surgery, ambulatory care, outpatient medical imaging, and care for the elderly.

2. Albany Medical Center

Albany Medical Center is regionally ranked, #20 in New York, and #2 in Albany. It is a general medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital. The evaluation of this hospital also includes data from Albany Medical Center South - Clinical Campus.

• Specialties and High - Performing Procedures/Conditions: It is rated high performing in 13 adult procedures and conditions. In the context of pectus excavatum, it is notable that the hospital's pulmonary and critical care services treat chest wall deformities, including pectus excavatum. The hospital offers a variety of treatments such as ion robotic - assisted bronchoscopy for earlier detection and treatment of lung - related issues (available only at Albany Medical Center), 64 - slice CT scans, bronchoscopy, and more. Additionally, it has high - performing status in areas such as cancer (leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery), cardiology, heart & vascular surgery (abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart attack, aortic valve surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart failure), and orthopedics (hip replacement, knee replacement). This wide range of high - performing specialties can be beneficial for patients with mild pectus excavatum who may have associated health issues.
• Patient Experience: The patient experience ratings show some areas of strength and areas for improvement. It has a 2 - star out of 5 overall satisfaction score, 3 out of 5 for willingness to recommend, and 2 out of 5 for satisfaction with doctors’ and nurses’ communications.
• Doctors: Albany Medical Center has a large number of well - qualified doctors. For example, Obinna I. Abaribe MD (infectious disease), Tamer M. Abdelhak MD (neurology), and Christa R. Abraham MD (general surgery) are among the many physicians. This diverse medical staff can provide comprehensive care for patients with mild pectus excavatum.

Other Hospitals in Albany

There are other hospitals in the Albany area, but they may not be as highly ranked as St. Peter’s Hospital and Albany Medical Center for overall performance. However, they still may offer some relevant services.

• Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center: This hospital provides care for veterans. While specific information about its treatment of mild pectus excavatum is not readily available, it has a responsibility to provide comprehensive medical care to its patient population. It likely has a range of medical services and may be able to handle the diagnosis and basic management of mild pectus excavatum cases among veterans.
• Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center: As a children's hospital, it focuses on pediatric care. Since pectus excavatum often presents in childhood, this hospital can be an important resource for children with mild pectus excavatum. The evaluation of Albany Medical Center includes data from this children's hospital, indicating a combined approach to patient care.
• Ellis Hospital: Ellis Hospital is high performing in 5 procedures/conditions. Although it may not have a specific focus on pectus excavatum, its overall medical capabilities could contribute to the care of patients with this condition. It can offer general medical and surgical services that may be relevant for patients with mild pectus excavatum and associated symptoms.

Treatment Options for Mild Pectus Excavatum

Surgical Option

For those who require treatment, the most commonly performed procedure is a minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery to correct the deformity by placing a prosthetic bar behind the sternum, known as the Nuss procedure. The bar is removed after three years and the defect has remodeled into a more symmetrically positioned sternum. The appropriate timing of surgery is typically in the early adolescent years, but patients can undergo evaluation for this condition at any age. This minimally invasive surgery offers several advantages, including smaller incisions and reduced scarring, reduced operating time, an approximate 90 percent decrease in blood loss, an early return to regular activity, and excellent cosmetic results (Nationwide Children's Hospital).

Non - Surgical Option

Patients who are looking to avoid surgery or who do not qualify for surgery have the option of choosing non - surgical treatment pairing vacuum bell therapy with exercises and stretches. Approximately 80 percent of patients who choose this option see an elevation greater than 1 cm within 3 months, approximately 20 percent see complete correction within 6 months, and approximately 13.5 percent see complete correction within 18 months (Nationwide Children's Hospital).

Comparing the Hospitals

Making a Decision

When choosing a hospital for mild pectus excavatum in Albany, several factors should be considered:

• Specialty Expertise: Hospitals with high - performing status in relevant specialties such as orthopedics, cardiology, and pulmonary medicine may be better equipped to handle the condition and its potential associated issues. For example, Albany Medical Center's treatment of chest wall deformities and its high - performing status in multiple related areas make it a strong candidate.
• Patient Experience: Consider the patient experience ratings, including satisfaction with doctors, nurses, and overall hospital stay. However, keep in mind that these ratings are just one aspect and should be balanced with other factors.
• Location and Accessibility: Choose a hospital that is convenient to reach, especially if follow - up appointments are required. This can be particularly important for patients undergoing long - term treatment.
• Insurance Coverage: Ensure that the hospital accepts your insurance to avoid unexpected out - of - pocket expenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, St. Peter’s Hospital and Albany Medical Center stand out as the top - ranked hospitals in Albany, with high - performing status in multiple specialties and procedures. St. Peter’s Hospital has a long - standing reputation as a best regional hospital, while Albany Medical Center offers specific services for chest wall deformities, including pectus excavatum. Other hospitals in the area, such as the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, and Ellis Hospital, also have their own capabilities and can contribute to the care of patients with mild pectus excavatum. When making a decision, patients should carefully consider factors such as specialty expertise, patient experience, location, and insurance coverage.

We encourage you to further explore the websites of these hospitals, speak with your primary care physician, and even schedule consultations at different hospitals to get a better understanding of the services and care they offer. By being well - informed, you can make the best choice for your or your loved one's treatment of mild pectus excavatum.