Introduction

Pectus excavatum is a relatively common congenital chest wall deformity, which can cause problems such as limited lung and heart capacity, and also have a negative impact on the patient's psychology. For 30 - year - olds in New York City seeking pectus excavatum correction, choosing the right hospital is crucial. In this article, we will introduce the top 5 hospitals in New York City for pectus excavatum correction and analyze their respective strengths.

Understanding Pectus Excavatum

Pectus excavatum is a condition where the chest wall is sunken in, giving a caved - in appearance. It is often a congenital deformity, occurring more frequently in males than females. Approximately 40% of people with pectus excavatum have a family history of the defect. The main cause is believed to be the excessive growth of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, which pulls the sternum inward. As a result, it can affect lung and heart function, causing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast heartbeat, especially during strenuous exercise. In addition, it can have negative psychosocial effects on patients, especially children and teenagers who may feel self - conscious and avoid activities that expose the chest.

There are multiple tools to diagnose pectus excavatum, including visual examination of the chest, auscultation, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, pulmonary function testing, chest x - ray, CT - scan, and the Haller index. A Haller index greater than 3.25 is generally considered severe.

The Role of Hospital Selection for 30 - Year - Olds

For 30 - year - olds, the cartilage and bones in the chest are less malleable compared to younger patients. Therefore, the technical requirements for pectus excavatum correction surgery are higher. Choosing a hospital with advanced technology, experienced doctors, and comprehensive medical services is essential to ensure the success of the surgery and a good recovery outcome.

The Top 5 Hospitals in New York City for Pectus Excavatum Correction

NYU Langone Health

Overview

NYU Langone's team of doctors is dedicated to providing the most advanced, personalized care. Their doctors treating pectus excavatum have rich experience and high - level medical skills. The hospital offers a wide range of services for pectus excavatum patients, from accurate diagnosis to various treatment options.

Doctor Team

The hospital has a professional medical team specialized in treating pectus excavatum. They keep up with the latest international medical research and treatment techniques, and can formulate personalized treatment plans according to the specific conditions of each patient. You can browse their list of providers who treat pectus excavatum on the official website (https://nyulangone.org/doctors/condition/pectus - excavatum) and schedule an appointment online.

Treatment Approach

NYU Langone adopts a comprehensive treatment approach. For pectus excavatum, they may use both surgical and non - surgical methods. The surgical treatment is carried out by experienced surgeons, using advanced minimally invasive techniques to reduce the patient's pain and recovery time. Non - surgical methods may include rehabilitation training and physical therapy to assist the recovery process after surgery.

Success Rate and Patient Feedback

Although specific success rate data are not provided, according to the hospital's overall strength and reputation in the medical field, the success rate of pectus excavatum correction is expected to be relatively high. Many patients have given positive feedback on the hospital's medical services, including the professionalism of doctors and the good nursing care.

The Center of Excellence for Pectus

Overview

Established in 2005, the Center of Excellence for Pectus is the premier center for the Nuss procedure to treat pectus excavatum and evaluate all forms of pectus. It is also one of the only centers to perform chest wall reconstruction on children and adults ages 10 - 55 years old.

Doctor Team - Dr. Barry Losasso

Dr. Barry Losasso is a key figure in this center. He was born in New York City and has a strong educational background, graduating from Yale University for his undergraduate degree and attending medical school at the University of Florida. He completed his fellowship in pediatric surgery at Babies Hospital, Columbia - Presbyterian Medical Center. He is a board - certified adult and pediatric general surgeon. Since 1999, he has been treating pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum for teens and adults. He trained with Dr. Donald Nuss, the founder of the Nuss procedure, and has performed over 1,400 minimally invasive Nuss procedures to correct pectus excavatum in both adolescents and adults (10 - 55 years old).

Treatment Focus - Nuss Procedure

The best age to get the Nuss procedure is between 13 – 16 years old when the chest’s cartilage and bones are still malleable. However, Dr. Losasso has successfully completed many Nuss procedures in patients as old as 53 years old. During the Nuss procedure, a convex bar is inserted through small incisions in the side of the chest and 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 hospital also has an excellent pain management team at Valley Hospital to ensure patients have a successful and uneventful recovery after the surgery.

Contact Information

Phone: 201 - 225 - 9440; Fax: 848 - 235 - 7174; Email: info@nuss procedure.com; Office address: 30 West Century Road, Suite 235, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, United States; Office hours: Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday: closed.

NewYork - Presbyterian Queens

Overview

NewYork - Presbyterian Queens 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 indicates its high - level surgical and medical care. The hospital's thoracic surgery program provides the latest in surgical techniques and comprehensive care for patients with diseases of the lung, trachea, esophagus, chest wall, and mediastinum.

Doctor Team

The hospital has a team of board - certified, highly trained surgeons. For example, Benjamin Enoch Lee, M.D., is an associate attending cardiothoracic surgeon and an associate professor of clinical cardiothoracic surgery; Oliver S. Chow, M.D., is an assistant attending cardiothoracic surgeon and an assistant professor of clinical cardiothoracic surgery. These surgeons are committed to providing outstanding patient - centered care that is less invasive and more effective.

Treatment Options

For pectus excavatum, the hospital offers a minimally invasive Nuss procedure. Their thoracic surgeons are also trained in other cutting - edge techniques, such as robotic thoracic surgery including lobectomy and thymectomy, video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), minimally invasive esophagectomy, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and paraesophogeal hernia repair, laparoscopic myotomy, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS), tracheobronchoplasty, etc. The minimally invasive approach results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker recovery and return to normal activities.

Location and Contact

The hospital's thoracic surgery division is located at 56 - 45 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355. You can contact them at 718 - 670 - 2707.

Columbia Surgery

Overview

Columbia Surgery provides a comprehensive guide to pectus excavatum treatment. They have in - depth knowledge of the disease, from its diagnosis to various treatment methods. The hospital is well - known for its high - quality medical services and advanced surgical techniques in the field of chest wall deformities.

Treatment Techniques

Two main surgical treatment methods are offered: the minimally invasive Nuss procedure and the modified Ravitch repair. The Nuss procedure is performed using video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). A convex bar is inserted through small incisions in the side of the chest to push the sternum outward, and the bar needs to stay in place for about three years. The modified Ravitch repair involves removing small pieces of deformed chest cartilage and repositioning the protruding ribs and sternum, and titanium bars are used to support the repaired chest architecture. These bars can now remain permanently in place, avoiding the need for a second operation.

Recovery and Follow - up

After pectus excavatum repair, most people leave the hospital within 3 to 5 days and can return to school or work within two to three weeks. One must avoid vigorous exercise for the first month after surgery and contact sports for three months after surgery. The hospital also provides comprehensive follow - up services to ensure the patient's smooth recovery. If you need help, you can call (212) 305 - 3408 for existing patients, (212) 304 - 7535 for new patients, or request an appointment online.

Mount Sinai - New York

Overview

Mount Sinai - New York offers pectus excavatum repair services. They have a clear understanding of the surgical procedures and associated risks, and provide detailed preoperative and postoperative care instructions.

Surgical Methods

There are two types of surgery to repair pectus excavatum: open surgery and closed (minimally invasive) surgery. Open surgery involves making a cut across the front part of the chest, removing the deformed cartilage, and repositioning the breastbone. A metal strut is used to hold the breastbone in place, which will be removed in 6 to 12 months. The closed method, mainly used for children, makes two small incisions on each side of the chest. A curved steel bar is inserted under the breastbone to lift it, and the bar is left in place for at least 2 years.

Pre - operative and Post - operative Care

Before the surgery, a complete medical exam and medical tests are needed, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, and CT scan or MRI of the chest. Patients need to inform the doctor about their medications and allergies. After the surgery, children usually stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. Pain management is an important part of postoperative care, and patients may receive strong pain medicine in the vein or through an epidural at first, and then switch to oral medicine.

Comparative Analysis of the Five Hospitals

Conclusion

In New York City, these five hospitals - NYU Langone Health, The Center of Excellence for Pectus, NewYork - Presbyterian Queens, Columbia Surgery, and Mount Sinai - New York - all have their own unique strengths in pectus excavatum correction for 30 - year - olds. NYU Langone Health offers personalized care, The Center of Excellence for Pectus is well - known for the Nuss procedure, NewYork - Presbyterian Queens has advanced minimally invasive techniques, Columbia Surgery provides multiple surgical options, and Mount Sinai - New York offers detailed surgical procedures and care instructions.

If you or someone you know is suffering from pectus excavatum and is a 30 - year - old in New York City, it is recommended that you contact these hospitals for consultations. You can compare their treatment plans, doctor expertise, and success rates to choose the most suitable hospital for your condition. Take action now and start your journey towards a better life with a corrected chest deformity!