Top Five Hospitals for Pectus Excavatum Surgery in New York City

Pectus excavatum is a congenital deformity where the chest wall appears sunken, creating a caved - in look. This condition can have physical implications such as reduced lung capacity and affect one's psychological well - being. In New York City, there are several hospitals that stand out for their expertise in pectus excavatum surgery. Here, we will explore the top five of them.

1. NewYork - Presbyterian Queens

Overview

NewYork - Presbyterian Queens has a remarkable 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. This high - quality recognition indicates its commitment to surgical excellence in thoracic surgeries.

Services for Pectus Excavatum

• Minimally Invasive Approach: The hospital offers a minimally invasive Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. This is one of the latest and most advanced surgical techniques. With this method, the majority of patients can experience less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker recovery. For instance, instead of a large open incision, the surgery can be performed through small incisions using video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) techniques.
• Multidisciplinary Team: A team of board - certified, highly trained surgeons collaborates with 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 comprehensive team ensures seamless, high - quality care for patients from pre - surgery evaluation to post - surgery recovery.

Contact Information

Division of Thoracic Surgery, 56 - 45 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355. Phone: 718 - 670 - 2707

2. ColumbiaDoctors Children's Health

Overview

Columbia's multidisciplinary medical team at ColumbiaDoctors Children's Health is well - equipped to handle various chest wall anomalies, including pectus excavatum. They have a long - standing reputation for providing top - notch medical care to children and adolescents.

Services for Pectus Excavatum

• Comprehensive Evaluation: The team evaluates, monitors, and treats children and adolescents with pectus excavatum. They consider factors such as the severity of the deformity, its impact on the heart and lungs, and the overall physical and psychological well - being of the patient. Diagnostic tools such as visual examination, auscultation, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, pulmonary function testing, chest x - ray, CT - scan, and Haller index calculation are used to accurately assess the condition.
• Multispecialty Collaboration: Pediatric surgeons work in collaboration with doctors from other pediatric specialties, including orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, cardiology, pulmonology, genetics, and radiology, as well as nurse practitioners, orthotists, and physical therapists. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of the patient's health are addressed during the treatment process.
• Treatment Options: They have extensive experience in using a minimally invasive approach to treat pectus excavatum. In some cases, they also address pectus carinatum with bracing rather than surgery. For pectus excavatum surgery, they can perform both the Nuss procedure and the modified Ravitch repair, depending on the patient's individual needs.

Contact Information

To make an appointment, call 212 - 342 - 8585

3. NYU Langone Health

Overview

NYU Langone Health has a team of dedicated doctors who treat pectus excavatum. Their focus is on providing the most advanced, personalized care to their patients.

Services for Pectus Excavatum

• Specialized Doctors: The hospital's doctors are well - versed in the latest treatment techniques for pectus excavatum. They stay updated with the research in the field to offer the best possible treatment options to their patients. Whether it is a surgical or non - surgical approach, patients can expect specialized care based on their unique circumstances.
• Patient - Centered Approach: NYU Langone emphasizes a patient - centered approach. They understand the physical and emotional impact of pectus excavatum on patients and their families. Thus, they involve patients and their families in the decision - making process, explaining all the treatment options, risks, and benefits clearly.

Contact Information

Patients can browse the list of providers who treat pectus excavatum on their website (https://nyulangone.org/doctors/condition/pectus - excavatum) and schedule an appointment online.

4. The Center of Excellence for Pectus

Overview

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

Services for Pectus Excavatum

• Expert Surgeon: Dr. Barry Losasso, the key surgeon at the center, has performed over 1,400 minimally invasive Nuss procedures to correct pectus excavatum. He trained with Dr. Donald Nuss, the founder of the Nuss procedure. His experience and expertise make him a highly sought - after surgeon in the field.
• Age - Range Compatibility: The center caters to a wide age range of patients, from 10 - 55 years old. They understand that the best age for the Nuss procedure is between 13 – 16 years old when the chest’s cartilage and bones are more malleable, but they have also successfully completed many procedures in older patients, up to 53 years old.
• Comprehensive Care: From pre - surgical assessment, including measuring the Haller index to determine the severity of the pectus deformity, to post - operative pain management, the center provides comprehensive care. They have an excellent pain management team at the Valley Hospital where the Nuss procedure is performed, ensuring patients have a comfortable recovery.

Contact Information

Phone: 201 - 225 - 9440 - Fax: 848 - 235 - 7174. Email: info@nussprocedure.com. Office address: 30 West Century Road, Suite 235, Paramus, New Jersey 07652

5. The Harlem Hospital

Overview

The Harlem Hospital is a well - known medical group practice in New York City. While it offers a wide range of medical services, it has also made a mark in the field of pectus excavatum surgery.

Services for Pectus Excavatum

• Experienced Surgeons: There are surgeons at The Harlem Hospital who have experience in treating complex pectus excavatum cases. For example, Dr. Barry at the hospital has performed the Nuss surgery and bar removal surgeries with great success, leaving patients with improved chest appearance.
• Patient - Friendly Environment: The hospital aims to provide a patient - friendly environment. They focus on good communication with patients and their families, answering all their questions and addressing their concerns during the treatment process. This helps in building trust and ensuring a positive patient experience.

Contact Information

506 Malcolm X Blvd, New York NY 10037. Phone: (212) 939 - 8615 or (212) 939 - 3501

Comparative Analysis of the Five Hospitals

Understanding Pectus Excavatum

Pectus excavatum is a relatively common congenital deformity. Approximately 40% of people with pectus excavatum have one or more family members with the defect. It is more common in males than females. The condition may be present at birth or develop during puberty. The exact cause is not fully understood, but it is believed to be due to excessive growth of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, which pulls the sternum inward.

Symptoms

• Physical Symptoms: Severe cases of pectus excavatum can affect lung capacity, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast heartbeat. The proximity of the sternum and the pulmonary artery may also cause a heart murmur. During exercise, a person with pectus excavatum may experience more pronounced symptoms as the lungs are confined and cannot expand properly.
• Psychosocial Symptoms: Children and teenagers with pectus excavatum often experience self - consciousness and have difficult peer interactions due to their appearance. They may avoid activities that expose the chest.

Diagnosis

Multiple tools are used to diagnose pectus excavatum and gauge its extent:

1. Visual Examination: A simple visual inspection of the chest can reveal the sunken appearance associated with pectus excavatum.
2. Auscultation: Analysis of sounds of the heart and chest to detect the condition's effect on heart and lung function.
3. Electrocardiogram (ECG): To check the electrical activity of the heart and detect any irregularities that may be caused by the pressure on the heart due to the chest deformity.
4. Echocardiogram: A non - invasive test that takes a picture of the heart with sound waves, helping to assess the structure and function of the heart.
5. 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 evaluate lung function.
6. Chest X - ray: Can show the general structure of the chest and the position of the sternum and ribs.
7. CT - scan: Provides a more detailed view of the chest anatomy. The Haller index, a measure of the extent of pectus excavatum, is calculated using the CT - scan results. A Haller index of greater than 3.25 is generally considered severe (a normal Haller index is 2.5).

Surgical Treatment Options

Nuss Procedure

The minimally invasive Nuss procedure is commonly used to treat pectus excavatum. It is performed under general anesthesia. Here's how it works:

1. The surgeon makes two small incisions in the side of the chest and creates a horizontal passage underneath the sternum using video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Another small incision allows the surgeon to view the inside of the chest with a thoracoscopic camera.
2. 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.
3. 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.

This procedure was originally developed for children but has also been successfully used in adults, with results comparable to the modified Ravitch procedure.

Modified Ravitch Repair

The modified Ravitch repair is another surgical option, also performed under general anesthesia:

1. The surgeon makes a horizontal incision and removes small pieces of deformed chest cartilage.
2. The protruding ribs and sternum are repositioned. Titanium bars are secured to the ribs and sternum to support the repaired chest architecture.
3. Previously, the supports needed to be removed after several years, but the current bars can remain permanently in place, eliminating the need for a second operation.

Recovery After Surgery

Recovery after pectus excavatum repair varies depending on the person’s age and the amount of chest depression:

• Most people leave the hospital within 3 to 5 days after surgery.
• They can return to school or work within two to three weeks.
• For the first month after surgery, vigorous exercise should be avoided, and contact sports should be avoided for three months after surgery.

Conclusion

When it comes to pectus excavatum surgery in New York City, these five hospitals - NewYork - Presbyterian Queens, ColumbiaDoctors Children's Health, NYU Langone Health, The Center of Excellence for Pectus, and The Harlem Hospital - stand out for their expertise, advanced treatment options, and patient - centered care. Each hospital offers unique services and has a team of dedicated medical professionals who strive to provide the best possible outcomes for patients. Whether it's a minimally invasive approach, a multidisciplinary team, or an experienced surgeon, patients have a range of options to choose from based on their specific needs.

If you or someone you know is considering pectus excavatum surgery, it is recommended to reach out to these hospitals, schedule a consultation, and learn more about the