Introduction
New York City is home to a plethora of world - class hospitals that offer cutting - edge surgical procedures with a focus on quick - recovery incision surgeries. These techniques, such as minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopy, and robotics, are designed to minimize pain, reduce scarring, and shorten the hospital stay, enabling patients to return to their normal lives faster. In this article, we will explore some of the top hospitals in New York City that excel in providing such surgical services.
NewYork - Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
History and Reputation
NewYork - Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital has a long and prestigious history. It was one of the first surgical teaching hospitals in the United States. Its department of surgery was founded by a pioneer surgeon, Lewis S. Pilcher, M.D., who also founded the Annals of Surgery. The hospital has continued this proud tradition by offering advanced and innovative surgical techniques.
Advanced and Minimally Invasive Surgery Programs
- Cardiothoracic: Offers medications and heart procedures such as stenting to keep arteries to the heart open. Minimally invasive techniques in cardiothoracic surgery mean smaller incisions, less pain, and a faster recovery compared to traditional open - heart surgeries.
- Comprehensive Hernia Center: Dedicated to the care of hernia patients. Specialized techniques ensure effective repair with minimal disruption to the patient's body, leading to a quicker return to normal activities.
- General Surgery: General surgeons at the hospital evaluate and treat a full range of complex problems. They utilize advanced minimally invasive methods like laparoscopy for procedures, which results in less trauma to the body and a reduced hospital stay.
- Neurosurgery: Neurosurgeons treat brain and spine disorders. The use of advanced technologies allows for more precise surgeries through smaller incisions, potentially reducing the risk of complications and shortening the recovery time.
- Hand, Elbow, and Shoulder: Provides exceptional care for patients with hand, wrist, and arm injuries. Minimally invasive techniques are employed to ensure optimal recovery for patients, getting them back to using their limbs effectively as soon as possible.
- Urologic: Doctors use effective and minimally invasive treatments for urologic disorders and cancers. These treatments are less invasive, which can lead to less pain and a faster recovery for patients dealing with urologic issues.
- Vascular: Top physicians treat abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid arterial disease, and peripheral artery problems. Minimally invasive procedures in vascular surgery reduce the risks associated with traditional open surgeries and speed up the healing process.
- Bariatric: Highly trained surgeons perform gastric band surgery, gastric bypass surgery, and sleeve gastroectomy. These minimally invasive bariatric surgeries help patients lose weight with less discomfort and a quicker return to a normal lifestyle.
- Gynecologic: Offers minimally invasive robotic (da Vinci system) and laparoscopic surgeries. These methods provide better visualization and more precise surgical maneuvers, leading to faster recovery for gynecologic patients.
- Breast Cancer: Breast conservation therapy is a treatment of choice for many women. The less invasive form of surgery allows women to treat their breast cancer while minimizing the physical and emotional impact, with a quicker recovery period.
- Laparoscopic: Laparoscopic surgery has been available at the hospital for some time. This technique, also known as "key - hole surgery," involves making small incisions through which a camera and surgical instruments are inserted, resulting in less pain, scarring, and a shorter hospital stay.
- Thoracic: The hospital has some of the best physicians and facilities for thoracic surgery in Brooklyn. Minimally invasive thoracic surgeries are performed with great precision, helping patients recover faster from chest - related surgical procedures.
- Plastic Surgery: Plastic surgeons are specialists in improving a patient's quality of life. Whether it's reconstructive or cosmetic surgery, minimally invasive techniques are used to ensure quick recovery and good aesthetic results.
- Other Services: Pediatric surgery is also offered, where children who require surgery receive care from board - certified pediatric surgeons. The hospital uses age - appropriate minimally invasive techniques to ensure the best outcomes for young patients.
Contact Information
Patients can find a surgeon on the hospital's website or call 718 - 499 - care (718 - 499 - 2273) for more information.
NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Acute Care and Elective General Surgery
This hospital is well - equipped to handle both acute and elective general surgery cases. The team has years of experience, advanced training, and access to the extensive resources of one of the country's top hospitals. They use the most up - to - date technology, including robotic surgical systems and advanced monitoring and diagnostic equipment.
Who They Treat
- Acute Care Surgery: The department of surgery has a dedicated acute care surgery team, one of the first in the nation and the first in the New York metropolitan area. This team is available 24/7 to perform emergency general surgery, trauma surgery, and surgical critical care, as well as elective general surgery. For example, in cases of appendicitis or gallbladder attacks that develop suddenly, the team can quickly diagnose and perform the necessary surgical procedures.
- Elective General Surgery: This service sees patients in the clinic offices for a comprehensive initial evaluation and physical exam. Patients with abdominal pain who do not require immediate surgery are evaluated, and a personalized treatment plan is developed. If surgery is needed, a convenient time is scheduled, and patients are well - prepared for a quick recovery.
Conditions They Care For
Common conditions include appendicitis, gallbladder disease (cholecystitis), hernias, spleen disorders, major skin infections, and other intra - abdominal emergencies.
Treatments They Offer
- Elective Surgery Procedures: Appendectomy, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) and exploration of the common bile duct, removal of soft tissue masses, removal of the spleen (splenectomy), abdominal wall and inguinal hernia repairs, large intestine surgery (colectomy) for benign intestinal disease, small intestine surgery (lysis of adhesions) for small bowel obstruction, management of enterocutaneous fistulae, and minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery options. For instance, minimally invasive appendectomy causes less pain and a shorter recovery time compared to traditional open appendectomy.
- Emergency Surgery Procedures: All of the above, with specialization in minimally invasive emergency surgery, repair of gastric or duodenal perforations from peptic ulcer disease, incision and drainage for skin infections and abscesses, management of simple and complex wounds, management of necrotizing soft tissue infections, tracheostomy, gastrostomy tubes, management of abdominal bleeding, trauma, needle aspiration and chest tube management for pneumothoraces, and management of sepsis. Minimally invasive emergency surgeries help patients recover more quickly, especially in critical situations.
Key Clinical Programs
- Surgical Critical Care: Oversees the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) to provide the highest level of monitoring for critically ill patients. This involves continuous consultation and collaboration with other specialists and the development of a personalized plan of care for each patient, which is crucial for quick recovery in these high - risk cases.
- Trauma Surgery: The team cares for approximately 1800 adult trauma patients each year, addressing most injuries of the neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities. They also work alongside the division of pediatric surgery to care for pediatric trauma patients at the pediatric trauma center at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork - Presbyterian.
- Palliative Care: Focuses on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life for people with serious illness and their caregivers. The palliative care team counsels patients and family members about high - risk operations, helping them set appropriate goals and plan ahead for all possible outcomes.
Highlights of Their Care
- Making It Easier at Every Step: The hospital takes a wide range of insurances, offers in - person and virtual visit options, has a multilingual staff, and promises to see new patients within 7 days of a call. They also make it simple to coordinate all aspects of care, which is beneficial for patients' overall recovery experience.
- From Research to Robotics, Pushing the Field Forward: The surgeons are actively involved in research, such as the landmark study comparing antibiotic treatment to surgery for appendicitis. They are also at the forefront of using robotic surgery techniques to offer safer procedures with faster recovery times. In fact, they perform the most robotic emergency general surgery of any academic center in the country.
- An Entire Care Team, at Your Service: The entire team discusses each patient's case every day, coordinates with other specialists, and provides comprehensive care (including all pre - surgical and post - operative treatment). This improves efficiency and the overall quality of care, enabling patients to get into surgery sooner and out of the hospital faster.
- Convenient Locations and Virtual Options: Patients can be seen and operated on at three convenient locations: the main NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center campus in Washington Heights, the NewYork - Presbyterian Allen Hospital at the northern tip of Manhattan, and NewYork - Presbyterian Westchester in Bronxville. Virtual visits are also available for added convenience.
- World - Class Hernia Care: Surgeons from the general surgery division collaborate with the comprehensive Columbia Hernia Center, which is a premier source for hernia care in the region. Their techniques have led to faster recoveries and better results for hernia patients.
Contact Information
To schedule an appointment, call (212) 342 - 1734, or fill out the online appointment request form. For emergency transfers by referring physicians, call (800) nyp - stat.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
Surgical Services
The hospital provides both inpatient and outpatient surgical care, catering to patients with a wide range of conditions from burns and wounds to tumors, ulcers, and traumas. The department of surgery participates in medical student education programs and keeps up - to - date with new developments in medical and surgical science through research and teaching by attending surgeons.
Sub - specialties
- General Surgery
- Colorectal Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Hand Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Vascular
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Advanced Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery
- Podiatric Surgery
Cutting - Edge Care
- Minimally Invasive Breast Surgery: With the advent of a sterotactic breast biopsy system and ultrasound - guided core needle biopsy, this minimally invasive modality allows for the early detection of both malignant and benign breast disease without the need for sedation/analgesia and large incisions, resulting in a quicker recovery for breast patients.
- Bariatric Surgery Program: Offers laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy as a surgical option in the treatment of morbid obesity. Minimally invasive bariatric surgery techniques lead to less pain and a faster return to normal activities for obese patients.
- Coblation Technique: A new technique that decreases postoperative pain and increases patient satisfaction. The hospital is also one of the only centers in the area to offer auditory brainstem response under general anesthesia.
- Colorectal Services: In addition to colonoscopy screening as recommended by the American Cancer Society, the hospital offers repair of everything from troublesome hemorrhoids to the advanced treatment of colorectal cancer. Minimally invasive colorectal surgeries are available, which help patients recover faster.
- Plastics and Hand Surgery: Offers a range of cosmetic surgery to craniofacial reconstruction and breast reconstruction after malignancy. Minimally invasive techniques in these surgeries ensure less scarring and a quicker recovery for patients.
- Thoracic Surgeries: From minimally invasive video - assisted surgery to open thoracic procedures with new muscle - sparing incisions, patients have a quicker recovery time. These advanced techniques reduce the trauma to the chest area during surgery.
- Vascular Surgery: For the advanced treatment of varicose and spider veins. Minimally invasive vascular procedures mean less pain and a shorter healing period for patients with these conditions.
NewYork - Presbyterian Center for Community Health
Ambulatory Surgery
The center has 12 operating rooms dedicated to same - day outpatient surgeries. Multispecialty clinical teams, consisting of NewYork - Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist and world - class Weill Cornell Medicine physicians, use minimally invasive techniques to make the smallest incision possible. This approach allows patients to heal quickly and recover in the comfort of their own home. It also reduces costs, travel time, and eases scheduling compared to inpatient surgery.
Surgical Specialties
- Bariatric Surgery
- Breast Surgery
- Colorectal Surgery
- General Surgery
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Ophthalmologic Surgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Podiatric Surgery
- Sports Medicine Surgery
- Urologic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
Other Services
- Cancer Center: Recognized by the American College of Surgeons as a Commission on Cancer (COC) accredited cancer program. Patients have access to a full range of outpatient cancer services, including the latest anti - cancer drugs, targeted therapies, immunotherapies, minimally invasive outpatient surgical procedures, and support and educational resources.
- Infusion Center: Offers outpatient chemotherapy and other infusion therapies six days per week. It has an adjacent laboratory, allowing for on - site pharmacy preparations and efficient medication delivery with minimal patient wait time. The center also offers cold cap therapy to minimize hair loss during treatment.
- Cancer Clinical Trials: Through partnerships with NewYork - Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, patients have the opportunity to participate in cutting - edge cancer clinical trials.
- Patient Navigation: The navigation team serves as the patient's guide and advocate throughout the cancer treatment process, connecting them to the resources they need.
- Cardiology: Offers a full range of outpatient cardiac services from screening and diagnostic procedures to managing chronic heart conditions and performing minimally invasive surgery. Specialties include preventive cardiology, cardiovascular testing, structural and valvular heart disease treatment, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, hypertension management, heart failure treatment, and cardiac surgery.
- Digestive Diseases: Focuses on identifying and treating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, and liver. Services include bariatric surgery, colon cancer screening, heartburn and GERD treatment, hemorrhoid treatment, inflammatory bowel disease treatment, irritable bowel syndrome treatment, liver disease management, motility disorder diagnosis and treatment, pancreatitis treatment, and peptic ulcer treatment.
- Orthopedic Medicine: Provides the full spectrum of orthopedic and sports medicine services for adults and children. Services range from conservative management of orthopedic conditions to advanced minimally invasive outpatient surgeries, including hand, arm, and shoulder treatment, hip preservation, joint replacement, knee surgery and cartilage restoration, orthopedic rehabilitation therapy, pain management, pediatric orthopedics, spine surgery, and sports medicine.
- Diagnostic Imaging Center: One of the most advanced