Introduction
Pectus excavatum is a congenital deformity where the chest wall is sunken in, creating a caved - in appearance. Minimally invasive surgery has become a popular treatment option due to its numerous benefits such as less blood loss, reduced pain, and shorter recovery times. In New York City, several hospitals stand out for their expertise in minimally invasive pectus excavatum surgery. This article will explore the top five hospitals in the city for this specific type of surgery.
Understanding Pectus Excavatum
Pectus excavatum is a relatively common congenital condition, occurring more often in males than females. Approximately 40% of people with pectus excavatum have one or more family members with the defect. It can present at birth or develop during puberty. The condition is believed to be caused by excessive growth of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, which pulls the sternum inward.
Severe cases of pectus excavatum can have a significant impact on a person's health. It can compromise lung and heart capacity, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast heartbeat. In some cases, it may cause a heart murmur. Psychosocial effects are also common, especially in children and teenagers, who may experience self - consciousness and have difficulty with peer interactions due to their appearance.
Diagnosis of pectus excavatum involves multiple tools. A visual examination of the chest is often the first step. Other diagnostic methods include auscultation to analyze the sounds of the heart and chest, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, pulmonary function testing, chest X - ray, CT - scan, and the Haller index, which measures the extent of the deformity. A Haller index greater than 3.25 is generally considered severe.
The Importance of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pectus Excavatum
Minimally invasive surgery for pectus excavatum offers several advantages over traditional open surgery. With minimally invasive techniques, there is a significant reduction in blood loss, which lowers the risk of transfusion - related complications. Scarring is also minimal, which is beneficial from a cosmetic perspective, especially for younger patients who may be self - conscious about their appearance. The pain associated with minimally invasive surgery is typically less severe, requiring less pain medication post - operatively. Additionally, patients often experience shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times, allowing them to return to their normal activities more quickly.
Top Five Hospitals in New York City for Minimally Invasive Pectus Excavatum Surgery
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, which reflects the high - quality care provided in the thoracic surgery department.
The hospital offers one of the most sophisticated minimally invasive thoracic surgery programs in the world. The world - class thoracic surgeons, in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, provide cutting - edge approaches and the latest in minimally invasive surgical treatments, including robotic and video - assisted thoracic surgery. For pectus excavatum, they offer the minimally invasive Nuss procedure.
The multidisciplinary team at NewYork - Presbyterian Queens consists 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. This team collaborates to deliver seamless, high - quality care to patients before, during, and after their hospital stay.
The majority of patients at NewYork - Presbyterian Queens are able to have their surgery performed through a minimally invasive approach. This results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker recovery and return to normal activities. A minimally invasive approach is also a surgical treatment option for many elderly and very ill patients who are not able to tolerate conventional open surgery.
Contact Information: Division of Thoracic Surgery, 56 - 45 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355, 718 - 670 - 2707
Columbia University's Surgical Lung & Chest Care Program
As part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York - Presbyterian, this program is consistently named one of New York’s top hospitals and one of the top ten medical centers in the nation. The thoracic surgery team at Columbia provides the most up - to - date options for all chest conditions, including pectus excavatum.
Surgeons at Columbia are leaders in the field, having developed the largest lung transplant program in the North Atlantic, established a special program addressing lung disease in women, and created the world’s only comprehensive center for diaphragm disorders. This expertise is also applied to the treatment of pectus excavatum.
The ideal age for surgical treatment of pectus excavatum is between 12 and 18 years. At Columbia, the goal of surgery to correct a pectus excavatum defect is to improve breathing, posture, and cardiac function, in addition to giving the chest a normal appearance. They offer both the minimally invasive Nuss procedure and the modified Ravitch repair.
The Nuss procedure, performed under general anesthesia using video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), creates a horizontal passage underneath the sternum through two small incisions in the side of the chest. A convex bar is inserted and turned to push the sternum outward, and the bar remains in place for a minimum of three years while the chest contour re - forms. The modified Ravitch repair involves removing small pieces of deformed chest cartilage and repositioning the protruding ribs and sternum, with titanium bars secured to the chest for support.
Contact Information: Existing patients call (212) 305 - 3408, new patients call (212) 304 - 7535, or request an appointment online. Locations include the Herbert Irving Pavilion at 161 Fort Washington Avenue, 3rd floor, New York, New York 10032, among others.
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 reputation for excellence in medical care across various specialties.
The doctors at NYU Langone are well - trained in minimally invasive surgical techniques for pectus excavatum. They use state - of - the - art equipment and the latest advancements in surgical procedures to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients. The hospital's multidisciplinary approach involves close collaboration between surgeons, cardiologists, pulmonologists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care.
Patients at NYU Langone can expect individualized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs and condition. The hospital also offers extensive pre - operative and post - operative support, including patient education, pain management, and rehabilitation services.
Contact Information: Patients can browse the list of providers who treat pectus excavatum on the NYU Langone website and schedule an appointment online.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
While primarily known for its cancer treatment, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center also has a highly skilled thoracic surgery department. The hospital has several thoracic surgeons who specialize in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, with a focus on lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and other thoracic conditions, including pectus excavatum.
Surgeons at Memorial Sloan Kettering are board - certified and highly trained, held to the highest standards to continually improve surgical quality and achieve the most successful outcomes. They have access to the latest research and technological advancements in the field, which can be applied to the treatment of pectus excavatum.
The hospital's approach to care is patient - centered, with a focus on providing personalized treatment plans and comprehensive support throughout the surgical process. Patients benefit from the hospital's extensive resources, including advanced diagnostic tools and a team of experts in various fields.
Some of the well - known thoracic surgeons at Memorial Sloan Kettering who may be involved in pectus excavatum surgery include Dr. David R. Jones, Dr. Daniela Molena, and Dr. Robert J. Downey, among others.
Contact Information: For more information, patients can contact the hospital at relevant contact numbers provided for each surgeon, such as (212) 639 - 6428 for Dr. David R. Jones.
Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic
Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic focuses specifically on pectus excavatum and other chest wall disorders. Doctors from the cardiothoracic and pediatric surgery divisions have created this clinic to provide specialized care for patients with pectus excavatum.
The surgeons at Stony Brook use the Nuss procedure with cryoablation to treat pectus excavatum patients. The Nuss procedure is minimally invasive, done under general anesthesia with a laparoscope and only requiring small incisions on each side of the chest. Cryoablation, which freezes the nerves in the chest, 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, and 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. Patients typically stay overnight in the hospital, and opioid use is reduced due to the minimally invasive aspect and cryoablation.
The overall satisfaction rating of the Nuss procedure at Stony Brook for pectus excavatum patients is 95.6 percent. 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.
Contact Information: Call 631 - 444 - 2293 for patients < 18 and 631 - 444 - 2981 for patients > 18.
Comparing the Top Five Hospitals
| Hospital | Specialty and Expertise | Treatment Approaches | Patient - Centered Care | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NewYork - Presbyterian Queens | World - class minimally invasive thoracic surgery, three - star rating for CABG from STS | Minimally invasive Nuss procedure, robotic and VATS | Multidisciplinary team for seamless care | 56 - 45 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355, 718 - 670 - 2707 |
| Columbia University's Surgical Lung & Chest Care Program | Top - ranked in NY and nation, leaders in thoracic care development | Nuss procedure and modified Ravitch repair | Personalized care, expertise in leading techniques | Existing patients: (212) 305 - 3408, new patients: (212) 304 - 7535, multiple locations |
| NYU Langone Health | Advanced, personalized care for pectus excavatum | Minimally invasive surgical techniques | Multidisciplinary approach, pre - and post - op support | Schedule appointment online |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | Highly skilled thoracic surgeons, access to latest research | Minimally invasive thoracic surgery for pectus excavatum | Patient - centered, comprehensive support | Contact numbers vary by surgeon |
| Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic | Specialized in pectus excavatum and chest wall disorders | Nuss procedure with cryoablation | High patient satisfaction, overnight hospital stay | 631 - 444 - 2293 (patients < 18), 631 - 444 - 2981 (patients > 18) |
What to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Minimally Invasive Pectus Excavatum Surgery
- Expertise of Surgeons: Look for surgeons who are board - certified and have extensive experience in performing minimally invasive pectus excavatum surgery. Check their success rates and patient outcomes.
- Hospital Reputation: Consider the overall reputation of the hospital. Hospitals with high - quality ratings and recognition for their thoracic surgery programs are more likely to provide excellent care.
- Treatment Approaches: Find out what surgical techniques the hospital offers. Minimally invasive procedures are generally preferred due to their many benefits, but also inquire about other options in case they are more suitable for your specific condition.
- Multidisciplinary Care: A hospital that offers a multidisciplinary approach, involving various specialists such as cardiologists, pulmonologists, and rehabilitation experts, can provide more comprehensive care before, during, and after surgery.
- Patient Support: Consider the level of patient support provided, including pre - operative education, pain management, and post - operative rehabilitation services. Good patient support can greatly improve the surgical experience and recovery process.
- Location and Accessibility: The location of the hospital can be an important factor, especially if you need to make multiple visits for pre - operative tests, surgery, and follow - up appointments. Choose a hospital that is easily accessible for you and your family.
Conclusion
In 2025, New York City offers several top - notch hospitals for minimally invasive pectus excavatum surgery. NewYork - Presbyterian Queens, Columbia University's Surgical Lung & Chest Care Program, NYU Langone Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Stony Brook Medicine's Chest Wall Clinic all have their unique strengths in terms of expertise, treatment approaches, and patient - centered care. When considering surgery for pectus excavatum, it is crucial to carefully evaluate these hospitals based on the factors mentioned above to make an informed decision.
If you or a loved one is affected by pectus excavatum, we encourage you to reach out to these hospitals for more information. You can schedule consultations with the surgeons, learn about the treatment options, and get a better understanding of what to expect. By taking the time to choose the right hospital, you can increase the chances of a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.
