Introduction
Breast reconstruction surgery is a vital option for many women who have undergone mastectomies due to breast cancer or other medical reasons. It not only restores the physical appearance of the breast but also has significant emotional and psychological benefits for patients. In New York City, there are several top - notch hospitals that offer high - quality breast reconstruction services. This article will provide a comprehensive summary of the information and evaluations of the top five hospitals in New York City for breast reconstruction surgery.
1. Weill Cornell Medicine
General Information
Weill Cornell Medicine is a well - known medical institution in New York City. It has two locations in the Upper East Side: 525 East 68th Street, Starr 8, New York, NY 10065 and 425 East 61st Street, 10th floor, New York, NY 10065. The contact number is (646) 962 - 4210.
Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine?
- Exemplary Surgeons: The surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine are leaders in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Their care team is well - equipped to ensure the patients' comfort throughout the breast reconstruction process.
- Individualized Breast Reconstruction: Recognizing that each patient's body is unique, the plastic and reconstructive surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine can customize the breast reconstruction according to the patient's wishes.
- Multidisciplinary Care: Patients have access to a network of doctors and specialists. The plastic and reproductive surgeons are part of the Weill Cornell Medicine Breast Center, which includes oncologists, geneticists, and nurses specializing in breast cancer care. This multidisciplinary approach helps patients achieve optimal health and well - being.
- Focus on Comfort: The team prioritizes the patient's comfort at every step. Before surgery, patients have the opportunity to ask questions to fully understand the procedure. In state - of - the - art surgical suites, the latest anesthetics and medications are used to facilitate quicker recovery and healing. After surgery, the care team manages pain and provides instructions on self - care during the recovery period.
Breast Reconstruction Options
| Reconstruction Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Autologous reconstruction (your own tissue) | Uses tissue from different areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, to make the breast. Nerves can be reconstructed to increase sensory recovery in breasts that may be numb after mastectomy. A novel reinnervation procedure can be performed during autologous reconstruction, taking about 20 minutes by reconnecting a nerve in the abdominal flap to a nerve in the chest. |
| Breast innervation during implant reconstruction | The surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine developed a new technique. During the mastectomy, the nerves that supply the skin and nipple are preserved and reconnected to the breast skin and nipple, which improves sensation and patient quality of life. |
| Diep flap reconstruction | Utilizes a flap of complete tissue from the abdomen. It creates a slimmer abdomen and breasts that look and feel natural. The artery involved is the “deep inferior epigastric perforator artery”. |
| Implant - based reconstruction | Based on the patient's unique needs, both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers are used. The hospital has pioneered techniques like direct - to - implant reconstruction and tissue expander reconstruction without the use of drains, although current practice guidelines discourage the use of textured implants. |
2. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
General Information
Dr. Joshua Levine established the first dedicated perforator flap breast reconstruction program in New York City at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai in 2006. The hospital has been ranked among “America’s best hospitals” for nine years straight since 2006 and has achieved Magnet® status by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for excellence in nursing services.
Surgical Teams
Dr. Levine builds expert surgical teams with advanced skills in natural breast reconstruction. He has trained many of the first - wave of Diep surgeons in the tri - state area. The assisting microsurgeons include Robert Allen, M.D., a pioneer of perforator free flap breast reconstruction including Diep, Gap, Pap, and others, and Julie Vasile, M.D., a board - certified fellowship - trained microsurgeon specialized in these procedures since 2008. The breast surgeons include Ranjana Chaterji, M.D., Leah Gendler, M.D., Alyssa Gillego, M.D., and Karen Karsif, M.D.
Advantages in Breast Reconstruction
- Quick Patient Recovery: Dr. Levine always uses a second expert microsurgeon when performing perforator flap breast reconstruction in a team approach. This ensures a higher level of safety and efficiency. The procedures typically take 4 to 6 hours for reconstructing two breasts, which is relatively short for such a complex operation, and helps patients recover quickly with fewer problems and complications.
3. Mount Sinai West
General Information
The breast reconstruction program at Mount Sinai West is led by Hani Sbitany, M.D., an internationally renowned leader in breast reconstruction. The address is 425 West 59th Street, 7th floor, New York, NY 10019, and the contact number is 212 - 523 - 8700. Office hours are on Tuesdays from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Breast Reconstruction Offerings
The program offers the full complement of breast reconstruction options and specialized expertise in advanced muscle - sparing and microsurgical techniques. There are two main categories of breast reconstruction: those involving breast implants and those using the patient's own tissue (autologous). The reconstruction procedure can usually be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or at a later date if necessary. The team works closely with breast oncology surgeons to provide comprehensive breast care.
4. NewYork - Presbyterian
General Information
NewYork - Presbyterian plastic and reconstructive surgeons offer advanced breast reconstruction surgery options and techniques. They have been leaders in the evolution of breast reconstruction, with a 20 - year history of performing nipple - sparing mastectomies with concurrent reconstruction.
Types of Breast Reconstruction
| Reconstruction Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Autologous reconstruction | Uses the patient's own body tissue, such as from the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks, to reconstruct nerves and breast structure. A novel reinnervation procedure during autologous reconstruction takes about 20 minutes, where a nerve in the abdominal flap is reconnected to a nerve in the chest. |
| Breast innervation during implant reconstruction | During the mastectomy, the nerves that supply the skin and nipple are preserved and reconnected to the breast skin and nipple. |
| Diep flap reconstruction | Utilizes a flap of complete tissue from the abdomen, creating a slimmer abdomen and natural - looking and - feeling breasts. |
| Implant - based reconstruction | Surgeons use both saline and silicone breast implants from all implant manufacturers to meet the clinical needs. Current practice guidelines discourage the use of textured implants, but the hospital provides a variety of implant - based reconstruction options. |
5. Doctors Plastic Surgery
General Information
Doctors Plastic Surgery is known for providing expert breast reconstruction surgery in New York City and its surrounding areas. It has state - of - the - art facilities in Manhattan, Long Island, and New Jersey. The practice is led by Dr. Ross Ratner, a double - board - certified plastic surgeon and a leading expert in breast reconstruction surgery in New York City, with over 15 years of experience and thousands of successful procedures.
Patient - Centered Approach
The practice takes a patient - centered approach. From the initial consultation to post - operative follow - up, the team focuses on delivering compassionate, personalized care tailored to each patient's unique needs. They aim to achieve aesthetically pleasing results while minimizing recovery time and discomfort.
Breast Reconstruction Options
- Breast reconstruction after breast - conserving surgery: Involves reshaping the remaining breast tissue after a lumpectomy and may include symmetrizing the other breast for balance.
- Implant - based reconstruction: Places a saline or silicone implant to restore the breast's shape and volume. Usually performed in stages, starting with a tissue expander.
- Flap procedures: Use tissue from another part of the body, such as the abdomen, back, or thighs. Common flap procedures include the Diep flap, Tram flap, and Latissimus dorsi flap.
- Nipple and areola reconstruction: Typically the final step in the breast reconstruction process, achieved through various techniques like local tissue rearrangement, skin grafting, or tattooing.
Evaluations and Comparisons
All five hospitals have their own unique strengths. Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork - Presbyterian are well - established institutions with a long - standing history of leadership in breast reconstruction techniques, especially in nipple - sparing mastectomies and reinnervation procedures. They offer comprehensive multidisciplinary care, which is crucial for the overall well - being of breast cancer patients.
The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai stands out for its specialized surgical teams and the efficient perforator flap breast reconstruction program developed by Dr. Joshua Levine. This results in quick patient recovery, which is highly beneficial for patients.
Mount Sinai West offers advanced muscle - sparing and microsurgical techniques under the leadership of an internationally renowned expert, providing a wide range of breast reconstruction options.
Doctors Plastic Surgery emphasizes patient - centered care, with an experienced surgeon like Dr. Ross Ratner who combines surgical excellence with a focus on personalized care. Their diverse range of breast reconstruction procedures caters to different patient needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top five hospitals in New York City for breast reconstruction surgery - Weill Cornell Medicine, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai West, NewYork - Presbyterian, and Doctors Plastic Surgery - each offer high - quality services with unique features. Whether it's the expertise of the surgeons, the availability of advanced techniques, the focus on patient comfort and recovery, or the multidisciplinary approach, these hospitals are well - equipped to meet the needs of patients undergoing breast reconstruction. If you or someone you know is considering breast reconstruction surgery, it is recommended to consult with the specialists at these hospitals to explore the best options. Take the first step towards your breast reconstruction journey by scheduling a consultation today and regain your confidence and well - being.
