Introduction

Pectus excavatum is a common chest wall disorder, especially prevalent among children and adolescents. For 13 - year - olds in New York City, finding the right hospital for pectus excavatum surgery is crucial as it can significantly impact their physical health and psychological well - being. In this article, we will take an in - depth look at the top 3 hospitals in New York City for pectus excavatum surgery for 13 - year - olds.

Understanding Pectus Excavatum

Pectus excavatum is characterized by a concavity of the sternum. It is often about five times more common in boys than girls and usually starts as a mild condition at birth, becoming more pronounced over time, especially during adolescence (source: Nationwide Children's Hospital). The abnormal growth of cartilage within the chest wall can push the sternum and ribs inward, creating a sunken appearance. In some cases, it can cause shifting and compression of the heart, reduction in lung expansion, chest pain, shortness of breath, and psychosocial issues for affected adolescents.

Diagnosis and Measurement

Doctors commonly use chest x - rays (both front and side views) or a chest CT scan to evaluate pectus excavatum. The Haller index is a widely used measurement to determine the severity of the deformity. A normal Haller index is around 2.0 - 2.5, and for surgical intervention, a Haller index of 3.2 - 3.25 is often required (source: The Center of Excellence for Pectus).

Top 3 Hospitals for Pectus Excavatum Surgery in New York City for 13 - Year - Olds

Columbia University's Pediatric Surgery Program

Overall Reputation

Columbia's pediatric surgery program is highly regarded. It is part of the #1 ranked children's hospital in New York by US News and World Report and one of the only designated level 1 pediatric surgery centers in the Northeast, according to the American College of Surgeons (source: Pediatric Surgery | Top Children's Hospital | Columbia Surgery). This status indicates a high level of expertise, safety, and the ability to handle complex cases.

Specialized Care for Pectus Excavatum

The hospital takes a comprehensive approach to treating pectus excavatum. Their multidisciplinary medical team includes pediatric surgeons, along with doctors from other pediatric specialties such as orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, cardiology, pulmonology, genetics, and radiology. They also collaborate with nurse practitioners, orthotists, and physical therapists. They have extensive experience in using a minimally invasive approach to treat pectus excavatum, which means smaller incisions, less discomfort, shorter healing times, and less - noticeable scarring for young patients.

Patient - Centered Approach

Columbia is committed to a family - first approach. Parents can accompany their child into the operating room until they are asleep. Frequent updates are provided during the surgery, and after the operation, parents can be with their child in the recovery room. The hospital also offers 24 - hour parental visiting, parental rooming - in with the child, parent support groups, a pediatric pain service, a child life center for schooling and age - appropriate activities, and a Big Apple Circus clown program to ease the child's stress during the hospital stay (source: Pediatric Surgery | Top Children's Hospital | Columbia Surgery).

Contact Information

To get started with the pediatric surgery program, you can call (212) 342 - 8585 or request an appointment online. Their 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.

The Center of Excellence for Pectus

Expertise in Pectus Treatment

Established in 2005, this center is the premier center for the Nuss procedure to treat pectus excavatum and evaluate all forms of pectus. Dr. Barry Losasso, the lead surgeon, has been treating pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum for teens and adults since 1999. He trained with Dr. Donald Nuss, the founder of the Nuss procedure, and has completed over 1,400 successful Nuss procedures (source: The Center of Excellence for Pectus).

Appropriate Age for Treatment

The best age to get the Nuss procedure is between 13 – 16 years old when the chest’s cartilage and bones are still malleable and easier to manipulate and bend into the correct shape. This makes the center an ideal choice for 13 - year - olds. However, Dr. Losasso has also successfully completed many Nuss procedures in patients as old as 53 years old.

Comprehensive Evaluation

When patients consult with Dr. Losasso, he will order imaging to measure the Haller index in order to determine the severity of the pectus. The center also has an excellent pain management team at the award - winning Valley Hospital, where Dr. Losasso performs the Nuss procedure. Multiple pain management modalities are used during and after the surgery to ensure a successful and comfortable recovery for patients.

Contact Information

You can contact the center by phone at 201 - 225 - 9440, fax at 848 - 235 - 7174, or email at info@nuss procedure.com. Their office address is 30 West Century Road, Suite 235, Paramus, New Jersey 07652. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.

Mount Sinai Hospital

Multidisciplinary Team

At Mount Sinai, a team of surgeons has joined forces to diagnose and manage chest wall conditions, including pectus excavatum. The doctors work with world - class colleagues in pediatric and adult cardiology, pulmonology, genetics, orthopedic surgery, radiology, anesthesiology, and orthopedics. They also collaborate with interventionists and physical therapists to provide the latest treatment methods and surgical innovations for the best possible result (source: Pectus & Chest Wall Conditions | Mount Sinai - New York).

Customized Treatment

The hospital individualizes diagnosis and treatment for each child. In addition to addressing the medical issues of pectus excavatum, they also take into account the psychosocial concerns that a 13 - year - old may face. By listening to the child and their family, they can better understand their hopes and goals for treatment and tailor the approach accordingly.

Research and Innovation

Mount Sinai conducts research to develop more effective treatments and explore ways to prevent or improve chest wall conditions. They have already developed specialized instrumentation for chest wall surgery, which improves the process and outcomes. Currently, they are using whole genome analysis to explore hereditary aspects of chest wall conditions. If you are interested in participating in research or supporting their efforts, you can call 212 - 844 - 8840 to learn more.

Contact Information

For more information about their services related to pectus excavatum, you can reach out to their relevant departments at Mount Sinai. Specific contact details for scheduling an appointment can be found on their official website.

Comparing the Hospitals

Conclusion

In 2025, Columbia University's pediatric surgery program, The Center of Excellence for Pectus, and Mount Sinai Hospital stand out as the top 3 hospitals in New York City for pectus excavatum surgery for 13 - year - olds. Each hospital has its unique strengths, whether it's the high - end overall reputation, specialized expertise in the Nuss procedure, or the focus on research and innovation. For parents of 13 - year - olds considering pectus excavatum surgery, it's important to thoroughly research and consult with these hospitals to make an informed decision that best suits their child's needs.

We encourage you to share this article with other parents who may be in a similar situation. If you want to learn more about pectus excavatum or pediatric surgery, feel free to do further research and explore the contact information provided in this article to reach out to the hospitals directly.