Introduction

Pectus excavatum is a congenital deformity of the chest wall where the breastbone and ribs are sunken inwards, creating a funnel - shaped appearance. Mild - to - moderate cases can often cause self - esteem issues and may have some impact on respiratory and cardiac function. In New York City, several hospitals are well - known for performing high - quality pectus excavatum surgeries. In this article, we'll recommend the top 5 hospitals for mild - to - moderate pectus excavatum surgery in New York City.

Understanding Pectus Excavatum

Pectus excavatum can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition. It often becomes more noticeable during puberty as the body grows. While mild cases may only present a cosmetic concern, moderate cases can lead to physical symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and decreased exercise tolerance. It's essential to get an accurate diagnosis through a combination of physical examination, imaging tests like chest X - rays, CT scans, and pulmonary function tests to determine the severity of the condition.

There are two main types of surgical procedures for pectus excavatum: open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. Open surgery, such as the Ravitch procedure, involves making a large incision across the chest, removing the deformed cartilage, and repositioning the breastbone. Minimally invasive surgery, like the Nuss procedure, uses small incisions on the sides of the chest and inserts a curved bar under the breastbone to lift it into a normal position.

Top 5 Hospitals in New York City for Mild - to - Moderate Pectus Excavatum Surgery

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

NewYork - Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is highly regarded for pediatric surgical procedures, including pectus excavatum repair. According to Columbia Surgery, it is ranked as the #1 children's hospital in New York by US News and World Report and is one of the only designated level 1 pediatric surgery centers in the Northeast by the American College of Surgeons.

Advantages

• Multidisciplinary Team: The hospital has a team of experts from different pediatric specialties, including orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, cardiology, pulmonology, genetics, and radiology. They work together to provide comprehensive care for children with pectus excavatum. For example, the cardiology team can assess the impact of the chest deformity on the heart, and the pulmonology team can evaluate respiratory function.
• Minimally Invasive Techniques: Surgeons at this hospital are experienced in using minimally invasive approaches to treat pectus excavatum. This results in smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times for patients. The hospital offers state - of - the - art equipment and facilities to support these advanced surgical techniques.
• Family - Centered Care: The hospital takes a family - first approach. Parents can accompany their children into the operating room until they are asleep, and there are support services such as parent support groups, a child life center, and a clinical nurse coordinator to assist families throughout the surgical journey.

Contact Information

Primary Location: 3959 Broadway (166th street and Broadway), New York, NY 10032. Contact number: (212) 342 - 8585.

2. NewYork - Presbyterian Queens

NewYork - Presbyterian Queens has an outstanding thoracic surgery program. The hospital 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 a high level of surgical excellence NewYork - Presbyterian Queens.

Advantages

• Advanced Minimally Invasive Techniques: The hospital offers one of the most sophisticated minimally invasive thoracic surgery programs in the world. Their thoracic surgeons are trained in cutting - edge techniques, including robotic thoracic surgery, video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), and minimally invasive Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. These techniques result in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery.
• Multidisciplinary Approach: A multidisciplinary team of thoracic surgeons, 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 collaborate to provide seamless, high - quality care to patients before, during, and after their hospital stay.
• Patient - Centered Care: The focus is on providing individualized care for each patient. The surgeons work closely with patients to understand their needs and concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Contact Information

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

3. Mount Sinai Hospital

Mount Sinai Hospital is nationally ranked in 12 adult specialties and 4 pediatric specialties according to US News Best Hospitals. It has a comprehensive approach to treating various medical conditions, including pectus excavatum.

Advantages

• Expert Surgeons: The hospital has a team of experienced surgeons who are well - versed in both open and minimally invasive surgical techniques for pectus excavatum. They stay updated with the latest research and advancements in the field to provide the best possible treatment for patients.
• Research and Innovation: Mount Sinai is actively involved in research, which allows them to incorporate new treatment modalities and surgical techniques into their practice. This can lead to better outcomes for patients with pectus excavatum.
• Comprehensive Care: The hospital offers comprehensive care from diagnosis to recovery. This includes pre - operative evaluation, surgical treatment, and post - operative rehabilitation. There are also support services available for patients and their families to help them through the process.

Contact Information

New York, NY 10029 - 0310. Contact number: 1 - 332 - 239 - 6252.

4. NYU Langone Hospitals

NYU Langone Hospitals is nationally ranked in 13 adult specialties and 3 pediatric specialties as per US News Best Hospitals. The hospital's team of doctors is dedicated to providing the most advanced, personalized care for patients with pectus excavatum NYU Langone Health.

Advantages

• Personalized Treatment Plans: The doctors at NYU Langone take the time to understand each patient's unique situation and develop a personalized treatment plan. This may involve a combination of surgical and non - surgical approaches based on the severity of the pectus excavatum and the patient's overall health.
• Advanced Diagnostic Tools: The hospital has access to the latest diagnostic tools, such as high - resolution CT scans and advanced echocardiograms, which allow for accurate assessment of the pectus excavatum and its impact on the heart and lungs. This helps in making informed treatment decisions.
• Multispecialty Collaboration: Specialists from different departments, such as pediatric surgery, thoracic surgery, and cardiology, work together to provide coordinated care for patients. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all aspects of the patient's condition are addressed.

Contact Information

New York, NY 10016 - 6402. You can schedule an appointment online on their official website to consult with a doctor for pectus excavatum.

5. Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health

Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health is nationally ranked in 10 adult specialties US News Best Hospitals. It has a team of specialists who are experienced in treating chest wall deformities, including pectus excavatum.

Advantages

• Experienced Specialists: The hospital's specialists have extensive experience in performing pectus excavatum surgeries. They are familiar with the latest surgical techniques and can provide high - quality care to patients of all ages.
• Patient - Friendly Environment: Lenox Hill Hospital is known for its patient - friendly environment. The staff is attentive and dedicated to ensuring that patients and their families have a comfortable and stress - free experience during their stay at the hospital.
• Follow - up Care: The hospital provides comprehensive follow - up care after surgery to monitor the patient's recovery and address any concerns that may arise. This includes regular check - ups, physical therapy, and support for long - term rehabilitation.

Contact Information

New York, NY 10075 - 1850. You can contact them to schedule an appointment with a specialist for pectus excavatum evaluation and treatment.

Comparing the Top 5 Hospitals

Pre - operative Considerations

Before undergoing pectus excavatum surgery, patients and their families should be well - informed about the procedure. It's important to have a detailed discussion with the surgeon about the surgical approach, risks, and expected outcomes. Some of the pre - operative considerations include:

• Medical Evaluation: A complete medical exam, including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, and chest CT scan or MRI, will be conducted to assess the patient's overall health and the severity of the pectus excavatum.
• Medication Management: Patients may be asked to stop taking certain medications, such as blood - thinning drugs, about 7 days before surgery. The surgeon will provide specific instructions on which medications to stop and which ones to continue taking on the day of surgery.
• Nutritional Status: Maintaining good nutritional status is important for a successful recovery. Patients may be advised to follow a balanced diet before surgery to ensure they are in optimal health.
• Emotional Preparation: Surgery can be a stressful experience, especially for children and their families. It's important to address any concerns or fears and provide emotional support throughout the process.

Post - operative Care

After pectus excavatum surgery, proper post - operative care is crucial for a smooth recovery. Here are some key aspects of post - operative care:

• Hospital Stay: The length of the hospital stay can vary depending on the surgical procedure and the patient's recovery. Typically, patients may stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days after surgery.
• Pain Management: Pain is common after surgery. Patients may receive strong pain medicine in the vein (through an IV) or through a catheter placed in the spine (an epidural) for the first few days. After that, pain is usually managed with oral medications.
• Activity Restrictions: Initially, patients will not be able to bend, twist, or roll from side to side. Activities will gradually be increased as the patient recovers. The surgeon will provide specific instructions on when it is safe to resume normal activities.
• Follow - up Appointments: Regular follow - up appointments with the surgeon are necessary to monitor the healing process, remove any surgical devices (such as the bar in the Nuss procedure), and address any concerns or complications that may arise.

Conclusion

In New York City, there are several excellent hospitals that perform mild - to - moderate pectus excavatum surgeries. NewYork - Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York, NewYork - Presbyterian Queens, Mount Sinai Hospital, NYU Langone Hospitals, and Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health all offer high - quality care, experienced surgeons, and advanced surgical techniques. When choosing a hospital, patients and their families should consider factors such as the hospital's specialty ranking, the surgical approach, the availability of a multidisciplinary team, and the level of family - centered care.

If you or a loved one is suffering from pectus excavatum, we encourage you to do further research, schedule consultations with the hospitals mentioned above, and make an informed decision about the best treatment option. You can share this article with others who may be facing a similar situation to help them make the right choice for their healthcare needs.