Introduction

Chest repair surgeries are complex and critical medical procedures that can have a profound impact on patients' health and quality of life. In New York City, a hub of medical excellence, there are numerous surgeons and hospitals offering top - notch chest repair services. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the top 5 selected chest repair surgeries in New York City, including information on the procedures, associated surgeons, and the hospitals where these surgeries are performed.

The top 5 selected list of chest repair surgeries in New York City in 2025!

Understanding Chest Repair Surgeries

Chest repair surgeries encompass a wide range of procedures targeting different organs and conditions within the chest cavity. The main organs in the chest include the heart, lungs, esophagus, and thymus gland. Surgeries can be performed to treat diseases such as cancer, heart failure, congenital heart defects, and various other conditions that affect the normal functioning of these organs.

There are two main types of surgeons involved in chest repair surgeries: cardiac surgeons and thoracic surgeons. Cardiac surgeons focus on the heart and its associated blood vessels, treating conditions like heart disease, heart transplants, and heart valve problems. Thoracic surgeons, on the other hand, deal with the lungs, esophagus, and other non - cardiac chest organs, such as treating lung cancer, emphysema, and esophageal cancer (US News).

Top 5 Chest Repair Surgeries in New York City

1. Lung Cancer Surgery

Overview of the Procedure

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious cancers. There are several surgical approaches for treating lung cancer in New York City:

Video - assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) Lobectomy: This is a minimally invasive procedure where a section of the lung is removed. Instead of making a large incision and spreading the ribs (thoracotomy), a few small incisions are made. It reduces recovery time and improves the overall quality of life for patients. Mount Sinai Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, and Columbia University all use this technique as part of their lung cancer treatment protocols. For example, at Lenox Hill Hospital, about 90% of lung - related surgeries are done using minimally invasive techniques, and VATS is a key part of their approach (Lenox Hill Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital).
Extrapleural Pneumonectomy: This complex operation involves removing the diseased lung, the chest wall lining (parietal pleura), part of the lining of the heart (pericardium), and part of the diaphragm. It is typically used for patients with early - stage mesothelioma (Mount Sinai Hospital).
Pleurectomy/Decortication: A lung - sparing operation for mesothelioma. The parietal pleura, the lung lining, part of the pericardium, and part of the diaphragm are removed to allow the underlying lung to expand and fill the pleural cavity (Mount Sinai Hospital).

Associated Surgeons

Some of the top surgeons in New York City for lung cancer surgery include:

Dr. Jeffrey L. Port: A thoracic and cardiac surgeon affiliated with New York - Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He has a special focus on lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and mediastinal tumors. He graduated from NYU Grossman School of Medicine in 1991 and completed his training at NYU Med Ctr and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Ctr (Castle Connolly).
Dr. Robert J. Cerfolio: A thoracic surgeon affiliated with NYU Langone Hospitals. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, adult general thoracic surgery, pediatric thoracic surgery, and cardiovascular surgery (US News).

Hospitals

Lenox Hill Hospital: Ranked No. 1 in New York City for lung cancer surgery and in the top 10 in the country for lung & chest surgery. They have a top - rated thoracic robotic surgery program and use minimally invasive techniques for most of their lung cancer surgeries, resulting in faster recoveries and better patient outcomes (Lenox Hill Hospital).
Mount Sinai Hospital: The thoracic surgeons at Mount Sinai have pioneered some of the latest thoracic surgical techniques for lung cancer and other chest diseases. They offer a comprehensive range of surgical options, from minimally invasive to complex procedures (Mount Sinai Hospital).

2. Esophageal Cancer Surgery

Overview of the Procedure

Esophageal cancer treatment often involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Surgical options include:

Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy: Developed over a decade ago, this procedure uses laparoscopy and video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to remove the esophagus and replace it with the stomach. It is only available at a few specialized centers in New York City, such as Mount Sinai Hospital (Mount Sinai Hospital).
Chemotherapy and Radiation in Conjunction with Surgery: Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells, and radiation therapy uses high - energy x - rays. These two methods are often used together before or after surgery to treat esophageal cancer more effectively (Mount Sinai Hospital).

Associated Surgeons

Surgeons who are experts in esophageal cancer surgery in New York include:

Dr. Leonard Girardi: A thoracic surgeon affiliated with New York - Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia and Cornell. He has over 21 years of experience and is an expert in aortic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, and adult cardiac surgery, which also includes treating esophageal cancer cases (US News).

Hospitals

New York - Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia and Cornell: With experienced surgeons and state - of - the - art facilities, it is a leading center for esophageal cancer treatment. The surgeons here work in a multidisciplinary team, including oncologists, to provide comprehensive care for patients (US News).
Mount Sinai Hospital: Offers both minimally invasive and traditional surgical options for esophageal cancer, along with integrated chemotherapy and radiation therapy programs (Mount Sinai Hospital).

3. Thymoma Surgery

Overview of the Procedure

Thymoma is a tumor of the thymus gland. The main surgical approach for thymoma is thymectomy:

Sternotomy: The standard approach involves cutting through the breastbone to access and remove the thymus gland. This is a more invasive procedure but may be necessary in some cases (Mount Sinai Hospital).
VATS Thymectomy: A minimally invasive approach where small incisions are made, and a camera is used to guide the removal of the thymus gland. This results in less pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recoveries compared to sternotomy (Mount Sinai Hospital).

Associated Surgeons

Surgeons involved in thymoma surgery in New York City are often part of comprehensive chest care teams. For example, surgeons at ColumbiaDoctors who are experienced in minimally invasive surgery can perform VATS thymectomy with high precision.

Hospitals

ColumbiaDoctors: Their surgical lung and chest care program provides advanced surgical options for thymoma. As part of a leading academic medical center, they have access to the latest research and techniques, ensuring high - quality care for patients (ColumbiaDoctors).
New York - Presbyterian Hospital: With a team of highly skilled thoracic surgeons, it offers both traditional and minimally invasive thymectomy procedures, along with post - operative care and follow - up (US News).

4. Heart Valve Repair or Replacement

Overview of the Procedure

Heart valve problems can lead to serious complications if not treated. There are different types of heart valve repair or replacement surgeries:

Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery: This approach involves making smaller incisions in the chest, reducing trauma to the patient. It results in less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries compared to traditional open - heart surgery. For example, at Weill Cornell Medicine, they offer minimally invasive options for heart valve repair and replacement (Weill Cornell Medicine).
Robotic Heart Valve Surgery: Using robotic technology, surgeons can perform highly precise heart valve procedures. This technology allows for better visualization and more accurate movements, leading to improved patient outcomes. Columbia University's heart surgery program is known for its expertise in robotic heart surgery (Columbia Surgery NYP).

Associated Surgeons

Dr. Stephanie L. Mick: A thoracic and cardiac surgeon affiliated with New York - Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. She specializes in cardiac surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and heart valve repair or replacement. She graduated from Weill Medical College of Cornell University in 2001 and has extensive training and experience in these areas (Castle Connolly).
Dr. Craig R. Smith: Another well - known cardiac surgeon at New York - Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He focuses on heart valve surgery - mitral, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, and robotic cardiac surgery. He graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in 1977 and has a long - standing reputation for excellence in heart valve surgeries (Castle Connolly).

Hospitals

Weill Cornell Medicine - New York - Presbyterian: One of the top hospitals in the country for heart surgery. Their heart surgeons are highly skilled and offer a wide range of treatment options for heart valve diseases, including minimally invasive and robotic surgeries (Weill Cornell Medicine).
Columbia University Irving Medical Center - New York - Presbyterian: With a team of world - class heart surgeons, they have a comprehensive heart surgery program. They are known for their high - success rates in heart valve repair and replacement surgeries, especially in high - risk cases (Columbia Surgery NYP).

5. Diaphragm Repair Surgery

Overview of the Procedure

The diaphragm is a muscle that plays a crucial role in breathing. Diaphragm repair surgeries are used to treat conditions such as diaphragmatic paralysis and hiatal hernias:

Phrenic Nerve Grafting: A procedure used to repair damaged nerves in the diaphragm. At Columbia University, they are world leaders in this area of research and treatment. It helps in restoring the normal function of the diaphragm and improving breathing (ColumbiaDoctors).
Diaphragmatic Plication: Involves flattening the dome of the diaphragm to give the lungs more room to expand. This is a treatment option for patients with diaphragmatic weakness or paralysis (ColumbiaDoctors).

Associated Surgeons

ColumbiaDoctors has a team of surgeons who are experts in diaphragm repair surgeries. They work as part of the Diaphragm Center, which is the first and only multidisciplinary program in the country that exclusively addresses diaphragm - related issues (ColumbiaDoctors).

Hospitals

ColumbiaDoctors: As a leading institution in diaphragm repair surgery, they offer the latest treatment options and have a high level of expertise in dealing with complex diaphragm cases. Their approach is multidisciplinary, involving pulmonologists, neurologists, and other specialists to ensure comprehensive care for patients (ColumbiaDoctors).

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Chest Repair Surgery in New York City

Surgeon's Experience and Expertise

The experience and expertise of the surgeon are crucial factors. Look for surgeons who have a proven track record in performing the specific chest repair surgery you need. Check their training, years of experience, and the number of successful surgeries they have completed. For example, Dr. Hiroo Takayama, a thoracic and general surgeon in New York, is highly rated in 29 conditions, including cardiogenic shock, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and lung transplant (MediFind).

Hospital Facilities and Reputation

Choose a hospital with state - of - the - art facilities and a good reputation for chest repair surgeries. Hospitals like Lenox Hill Hospital, which has been ranked for high performance in thoracic surgery by U.S. News & World Report, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, which is consistently named one of the top hospitals in the country for heart surgery, are reliable choices (Lenox Hill Hospital, Columbia Surgery NYP).

Multidisciplinary Approach

Chest repair surgeries often require a multidisciplinary approach. Look for hospitals and surgeons who work with a team of specialists, including cardiologists, oncologists, anesthesiologists, and radiologists. This ensures that you receive comprehensive care before, during, and after the surgery. For example, at Weill Cornell Medicine, heart surgeons collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of professionals to deliver seamless, high - quality care (Weill Cornell Medicine).

Patient Reviews and Testimonials

Reading patient reviews and testimonials can give you insights into the experiences of other patients who have undergone chest repair surgeries in New York City. This can help you gauge the quality of care, the bedside manner of the surgeons, and the overall patient satisfaction at a particular hospital or with a specific surgeon.

Conclusion

In 2025, New York City remains at the forefront of chest repair surgeries, offering a wide range of advanced procedures and world - class medical expertise. The top 5 selected chest repair surgeries - lung cancer surgery, esophageal cancer surgery, thymoma surgery, heart valve repair or replacement, and diaphragm repair surgery - are performed by highly skilled surgeons in leading hospitals. When considering a chest repair surgery, patients should carefully evaluate the surgeon's experience, the hospital's facilities and reputation, the multidisciplinary approach, and patient reviews.

If you or someone you know is in need of a chest repair surgery, we encourage you to do further research, consult with multiple surgeons, and explore all available options. You can reach out to the hospitals and surgeons mentioned in this article to learn more about the specific procedures and how they can best meet your medical needs. Share this article with others who may benefit from this information, and stay informed about the latest advancements in chest repair surgeries.