Introduction
Pectus excavatum is a relatively common congenital deformity where the chest wall is sunken in, creating a caved - in appearance. Minimally invasive surgery has become a popular option for treating this condition due to its benefits such as less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals that excel in performing minimally invasive pectus excavatum surgery. This article will introduce the top 5 hospitals in this regard.
What is Pectus Excavatum?
Pectus excavatum is a malformation of the chest wall in which several ribs and the sternum (breastbone) grow abnormally, resulting in a caved - in or sunken appearance. It is a relatively common congenital deformity and occurs more often in males than in females. Approximately 40% of people with pectus excavatum have one or more family members with the defect.
Often present at birth, the condition may also develop during puberty and can range from mild to severe. Severe cases of pectus excavatum can affect lung capacity, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast heartbeat. In addition to its physical symptoms, it may also have negative psychosocial effects on children and teenagers, who often experience self - consciousness and difficult peer interactions stemming from their appearance.
Diagnosis of Pectus Excavatum
Multiple tools are used to diagnose pectus excavatum and gauge its extent:
- Visual examination of the chest: Doctors can initially assess the severity of the condition by simply looking at the chest.
- Auscultation: Analysis of sounds of the heart and chest to detect the condition's effect on heart and lung function.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG, also called EKG): This test records the electrical activity of the heart and can help detect any heart - related abnormalities caused by pectus excavatum.
- Echocardiogram: A non - invasive test that takes a picture of the heart with sound waves, providing detailed information about the heart's 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, to assess lung function.
- Chest X - ray: Can give a general view of the chest structure, including the position of the sternum and ribs.
- CT - scan: Used to get a more detailed cross - sectional view of the chest. The Haller index, which is calculated from the CT scan, is an important measure of the extent of pectus excavatum. A Haller index of greater than 3.25 is generally considered severe (a normal Haller index is 2.5).
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pectus Excavatum
Minimally invasive surgery for pectus excavatum offers several advantages over traditional open surgery. It usually results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker recovery and return to normal activities. There are mainly two types of minimally invasive procedures:
Nuss Procedure
The minimally invasive Nuss procedure is performed with general anesthesia. It is done using video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The surgeon creates a horizontal passage underneath the sternum through two small incisions in the side of the chest. A separate, small incision enables the surgeon to view the inside of the chest with the thoracoscopic camera. A convex bar known as the Lorenz pectus bar, which is specially shaped to fit the individual’s anatomy, is inserted through the passage and then turned to push the sternum outward. The bar must remain in place for a minimum of three years while the chest contour re - forms to its new shape. The bar is removed as an outpatient procedure.
Modified Ravitch Repair
This procedure is also performed under general anesthesia. Utilizing a horizontal incision, the modified Ravitch technique involves removing small pieces of deformed chest cartilage and repositioning the protruding ribs and sternum. To support the repaired chest architecture, titanium bars are secured to the ribs and sternum. The currently used bars can remain permanently in place, avoiding the need for a second operation.
Top 5 Hospitals for Minimally Invasive Pectus Excavatum Surgery in New York City
1. NewYork - Presbyterian Queens
NewYork - Presbyterian Queens has an outstanding thoracic surgery program. It has earned a three - star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for patient care and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, placing it among the elite for heart bypass surgery in the United States and Canada.
The hospital's patients have access to one of the most sophisticated minimally invasive thoracic surgery programs in the world. Its world - class thoracic surgeons provide cutting - edge approaches and the latest in minimally invasive surgical treatments, including robotic and video - assisted thoracic surgery through state - of - the - art diagnostic, surgical, and intensive care units. They are committed to using the most advanced minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical techniques to care for patients with chest diseases, specializing in a multitude of malignant and benign conditions.
For pectus excavatum, the hospital offers the minimally invasive Nuss procedure. Their 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.
Some of the well - known surgeons at NewYork - Presbyterian Queens include Dr. Benjamin Enoch Lee, an associate attending cardiothoracic surgeon and associate professor of clinical cardiothoracic surgery, and Dr. Oliver S. Chow, an assistant attending cardiothoracic surgeon and assistant professor of clinical cardiothoracic surgery.
Contact information:
- Address: 56 - 45 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355
- Phone: 718 - 670 - 2707
2. Columbia Surgery (associated with relevant Columbia - affiliated hospitals)
Columbia Surgery provides comprehensive care for pectus excavatum. The ideal age for surgical treatment of pectus excavatum, according to their guidelines, is between 12 and 18 years. The goal of surgery is to improve breathing, posture, and cardiac function, in addition to giving the chest a normal appearance.
They offer both the Nuss procedure and the modified Ravitch repair. The Nuss procedure at Columbia is performed using VATS, and a Lorenz pectus bar is inserted to correct the chest deformity. The bar remains in place for several years until the chest re - forms. The modified Ravitch repair involves repositioning the ribs and sternum and using titanium bars for support.
Dr. Lyall A. Gorenstein, a thoracic surgeon affiliated with New York - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including pectus excavatum treatment. His expertise and the hospital's advanced facilities contribute to high - quality surgical outcomes.
Contact information:
- For existing patients: Call (212) 305 - 3408
- For new patients: Call (212) 304 - 7535 or request an appointment online
3. Mount Sinai - New York
Mount Sinai - New York offers two types of surgeries to repair pectus excavatum: open surgery and closed (minimally invasive) surgery. The minimally invasive approach is mostly used for children.
In the minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon makes two small incisions, one on each side of the chest. A small video camera called a thoraco scope is placed through one of the incisions to view inside the chest. A curved steel bar that has been shaped to fit the child 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.
The hospital provides comprehensive pre - and post - operative care. Before the surgery, a complete medical exam and medical tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), possibly an echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, and a CT scan or MRI of the chest, are conducted. After the procedure, patients typically stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days, and pain management and post - operative activities are carefully monitored.
Contact information can be obtained through their official health - library resources on their website, and patients can further inquire about pectus excavatum repair services.
4. Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian
This hospital is well - known for its comprehensive pediatric minimal access surgery program. It is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top five children's hospitals in the country, offering the best available care in every area of pediatrics.
They are the only hospital regionally to offer minimal access surgical repair of so - called sunken or funnel chest (pectus excavatum). The minimally invasive Nuss procedure, or video - assisted pectus excavatum repair, is available at the hospital. A team of specialized surgeons and operating room staff trained in the latest minimal access techniques uses the latest specialized equipment in a child - and parent - friendly environment.
The new OR - 1™ integrated operating room at the hospital 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. This advanced technology provides a better surgical environment for pectus excavatum repair.
5. NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone's team of doctors is dedicated to providing the most advanced, personalized care for patients with pectus excavatum. The hospital has a group of experienced surgeons who are well - versed in minimally invasive surgical techniques for pectus excavatum.
They offer a range of services from diagnosis to treatment, and their approach is tailored to each patient's specific needs. The hospital also focuses on post - operative care and rehabilitation to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
Patients can browse the list of providers who treat pectus excavatum on the NYU Langone website and schedule an appointment online to start the treatment process.
Comparison of the Top 5 Hospitals
| Hospital Name | Specialty in Pectus Excavatum Surgery | Advanced Technology Used | Multidisciplinary Team | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NewYork - Presbyterian Queens | Minimally invasive Nuss procedure, comprehensive thoracic care | Robotic and video - assisted thoracic surgery, state - of - the - art diagnostic and surgical units | Thoracic surgeons, oncologists, pulmonologists, etc. | 56 - 45 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355; 718 - 670 - 2707 |
| Columbia Surgery | Nuss procedure and modified Ravitch repair | Video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) | Thoracic surgeons and related specialists | Existing patients: (212) 305 - 3408; New patients: (212) 304 - 7535 or online appointment |
| Mount Sinai - New York | Minimally invasive approach for children, both open and closed surgeries available | Thoraco scope for minimally invasive procedure | Surgeons, anesthesiologists, etc. for pre - and post - operative care | Check official health - library resources on website |
| Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian | Minimal access surgical repair of pectus excavatum in children | OR - 1™ integrated operating room | Specialized pediatric surgeons and related staff | Contact through hospital's official channels |
| NYU Langone Health | Advanced, personalized minimally invasive surgical care | Advanced minimally invasive surgical instruments | Doctors dedicated to pectus excavatum treatment | Schedule appointment online on their website |
Conclusion
In 2025, these top 5 hospitals in New York City stand out for their excellence in minimally invasive pectus excavatum surgery. Each hospital has its own unique strengths, whether it's advanced technology, experienced surgeons, or comprehensive multidisciplinary care. If you or your loved one is suffering from pectus excavatum, these hospitals offer high - quality treatment options with a focus on patient well - being and successful surgical outcomes.
We encourage you to reach out to these hospitals for more information, schedule consultations, and take the first step towards correcting pectus excavatum. Share this article with others who may be in need of this valuable information, and explore related topics on our platform to learn more about pectus excavatum treatment and surgical advancements.
