Top three to five hospitals for sunken chest in New York City in 2025

Sunken chest, also known as pectus excavatum, is a congenital deformity where the breastbone and some ribs grow abnormally, causing the chest wall to sink in. It can affect a person's heart and lung function, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. In New York City, there are several excellent hospitals that offer high - quality treatment for sunken chest. Here are some of the top hospitals:

1. Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian

1.1 Hospital Overview

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top five children's hospitals in the country, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is affiliated with Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. It is New York City's only hospital dedicated solely to the care of children and the largest provider of children's health services in the tri - state area. It also serves as a major international referral center for children from infancy through adolescence worldwide.

1.2 Expertise in Treating Sunken Chest

The hospital has been a leader in pediatric minimal access surgery (MAS) for more than a decade. A team of specialized surgeons and operating room staff trained in the latest minimal access techniques uses state - of - the - art equipment in a child - and parent - friendly environment. Dr. Charles J. Stolar, chief of the division of pediatric surgery at the hospital, stated that they are the only hospital regionally to offer minimal access surgical repair of so - called sunken or funnel chest. The minimally invasive Nuss procedure, or video - assisted pectus excavatum repair, allows for a complete repair without the need for a highly invasive procedure involving rib resections and fracture of the sternum. This procedure is performed through small "keyhole" incisions rather than large incisions through the chest. Benefits of MAS for sunken chest repair include reduced pain and less need for pain medication, better cosmetic results (minimal scars), less blood loss, and shorter hospital stays. In many cases, recovery time is half that of traditional open surgery.

1.3 Advanced Facilities

The hospital's OR - 1 operating room, opened in January 2005, is a computer system that allows the surgeon to control every aspect of the operating room. It can access a patient's x - ray images or lab results, control the lighting and temperature levels. Four separate monitors can display live video from the surgery, relevant patient information, a teleconference, and enable video recording onto DVD. The system is also an ideal teaching tool as anyone in the OR can view what is happening.

2. Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates

2.1 Clinic Information

Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates has offices in Washington Heights, Manhattan (in New York City), as well as in Pomona, Goshen, and Fishkill, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey. The experienced doctors at this practice have considerable experience in treating chest wall conditions like pectus excavatum.

2.2 Treatment Options for Sunken Chest

They offer advanced forms of video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of sunken chest. The traditional surgical technique for pectus excavatum is the modified Ravitch repair. This is an open surgery that involves removing some of the abnormal cartilage, repositioning the ribs and breastbone, and reinforcing the chest wall with titanium bars. A minimally invasive approach called the Nuss procedure is also available. The team uses VATS to create a passage under the breastbone and then fits a customized Lorenz pectus bar that guides the chest wall to grow into a more correct position. Some patients might be suitable for uniportal video - assisted thoracic surgery (uni - VATS), which requires only one incision.

3. Mount Sinai Hospitals

3.1 Hospital Background

Mount Sinai Hospitals is a teaching hospital located in the Harlem region of New York. It was formed in 1852 and is one of the oldest and biggest facilities in the US after the merger of Mount Sinai Medical Center and Continuum Health Partners. There are over 7000 physicians in the Mount Sinai health system, and it has a bed capacity of over 300. It was ranked 14th in the United States by the US News and World Report.

3.2 Capabilities in Sunken Chest Treatment

Although specific details about its treatment of sunken chest are not as extensive in the references as the previous two, it has a reputation for innovative medical procedures. The hospital is well - equipped and has a wide variety of clinical care specialties and treatments. With its team of highly - trained physicians, it is likely to offer comprehensive treatment options for pectus excavatum, including both surgical and non - surgical approaches.

3.3 Technological Advancements

The hospital is renowned in NYC for its technology - based medical intervention and updated biomedical imaging techniques that aim to better diagnose. Some of the implemented technologies include digital health tools, machine learning to devise improved treatment, AI and digital usage in the study of pathology, Dose Net for treatment of cancer, and a minimally invasive cranial access device (MICA D). These technological resources can contribute to more accurate diagnosis and treatment of sunken chest cases.

4. NYU Langone Hospitals

4.1 Hospital Profile

NYU Langone is a non - profit medical health center founded in 1882 and merged with New York University Medical Center in 1948. It is ranked #2 in NYC and amongst the top ten in the US. It is nationally ranked in 15 adult specialties and receives about 37000 patients annually. It comprises different hospitals such as the Hospital of Joint Disease, Risk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, and NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital.

4.2 Potential in Sunken Chest Treatment

While there is no direct mention of its specific focus on sunken chest treatment, its comprehensive nature and high - quality medical services suggest that it could provide effective treatment. The Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital has a team of pediatric professionals and a child - friendly environment. With its advanced facilities and interdisciplinary approach, it may be able to offer surgical and post - operative care for children with pectus excavatum. The hospital also utilizes telemedicine, which can enhance patient care and follow - up.

Comparative Table of the Hospitals

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Sunken Chest Treatment

5.1 Treatment Expertise

Look for hospitals with experienced surgeons who have performed a significant number of sunken chest repair procedures. Surgeons with a high volume of cases are more likely to be familiar with the latest techniques and can handle any complications that may arise. For example, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian has a long - standing reputation in pediatric minimal access surgery for sunken chest.

5.2 Treatment Options

Different hospitals may offer different treatment approaches. Some may focus more on minimally invasive procedures like the Nuss procedure, while others may also provide the traditional Ravitch repair. It is important to understand the pros and cons of each option and choose a hospital that offers the most suitable treatment for your condition.

5.3 Patient - Centered Care

Consider the hospital's approach to patient care. A child - friendly environment is crucial for pediatric patients. Hospitals should also provide support services such as pain management, post - operative rehabilitation, and psychological support. For example, Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone has a child - friendly setup with playrooms and art rooms to make the patient's stay more comfortable.

5.4 Technological Advancements

Advanced technology can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and the effectiveness of treatment. Hospitals with state - of - the - art operating rooms, imaging equipment, and digital health tools are more likely to provide high - quality care. Mount Sinai Hospitals, for instance, has a range of technological resources for better diagnosis and treatment planning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, New York City offers several top - notch hospitals for the treatment of sunken chest. Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian stands out for its expertise in pediatric minimal access surgery. Rockland Thoracic & Vascular Associates provides a variety of treatment options for chest wall conditions. Mount Sinai Hospitals offers comprehensive medical care with technological advancements. NYU Langone Hospitals, with its interdisciplinary approach and child - friendly hospital in the system, also has the potential to offer effective treatment. When choosing a hospital, patients should carefully consider factors such as treatment expertise, available treatment options, patient - centered care, and technological resources. It is recommended that patients consult with their primary care physicians and get referrals to these hospitals to further explore their options.

Call to Action: If you or someone you know is suffering from sunken chest, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Contact one of the hospitals mentioned above to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a better quality of life.