Introduction
Funnel chest, also known as pectus excavatum, is a congenital chest wall deformity that can have physical and psychological impacts on patients. Minimally invasive surgery has emerged as a preferred treatment option due to its many advantages such as less pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times. In New York City, several hospitals offer high - quality minimally invasive funnel chest surgery. This article will introduce these hospitals, their services, and the expertise of their medical teams.
NewYork - Presbyterian Healthcare System
NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork - Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center
These institutions' thoracic surgeons provide advanced, high - quality, and compassionate care to patients with chest - related diseases. Their minimally invasive thoracic surgery programs are supported by a coordinated team of experienced surgeons, pulmonologists, cardiothoracic anesthesiologists, gastroenterologists, medical and radiation oncologists, intensivists, surgical and intensive care nurses, and respiratory therapists.
- Expertise in Minimally Invasive Procedures: The advanced technology available at these centers allows a high proportion of thoracic procedures to be performed using minimal access surgery. This includes the diagnosis and definitive surgical treatment of various lung, esophageal, mediastinal disorders, and conditions like hyperhidrosis. Although funnel chest is not explicitly emphasized, their overall minimally invasive expertise can be extrapolated to the treatment of pectus excavatum.
- Contact Information:
- NewYork - Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Thoracic Surgery: 212 - 746 - 5166
- NewYork - Presbyterian/Columbia Thoracic Surgery: 212 - 305 - 3408
NewYork - Presbyterian Queens
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. This indicates its high - quality surgical care.
- Minimally Invasive Funnel Chest Surgery: It offers one of the most sophisticated minimally invasive thoracic surgery programs in the world. The hospital provides cutting - edge approaches and the latest in minimally invasive surgical treatments, including the minimally invasive Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum. Their world - class thoracic surgeons use state - of - the - art diagnostic, surgical, and intensive care units. The new developments allow for innovative and individualized care for each patient, resulting in less pain and faster recovery.
- Treatment 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 collaborates to deliver seamless, high - quality care to patients before, during, and after their hospital stay.
- Contact Information: NewYork - Presbyterian Queens, Division of Thoracic Surgery, 56 - 45 Main Street Flushing, NY 11355, 718 - 670 - 2707
NewYork - Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital
The thoracic surgeons at this hospital provide comprehensive care to people with diseases of the lung, trachea, esophagus, chest wall, and mediastinum. They are committed to minimally invasive surgery.
- Minimally Invasive Advantage: Most of the patients are able to have minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including robotic surgical procedures. These approaches result in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery and return to normal activities. Although funnel chest is not the main focus in the search results, their general commitment to minimally invasive techniques makes them a potential option for funnel chest surgery.
- Specialties: They have exceptional experience in lung cancer surgery, finding lung tumors earlier using low - dose CT scanning and navigational bronchoscopy, and offer different minimally invasive techniques for lung cancer such as video - assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic lung cancer surgery. They also have expertise in treating mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia, hyperhidrosis, and performing minimally invasive thymectomy for myasthenia gravis.
Other Notable Hospitals
Lenox Hill Hospital Heart & Lung - Manhattan, NY | Northwell Health
Lenox Hill Hospital is a leading institution in thoracic surgery.
- Top - Ranked Program: It is No. 1 in New York City for lung cancer surgery and one of only 10 hospitals in the country to receive the highest rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for three years in a row. Ninety percent of their thoracic procedures are done with minimally invasive techniques, which means faster and better recovery for patients.
- Expertise in Robotic Surgery: The hospital is known for its minimally invasive robotic surgery, especially useful in treating lung cancer. They were the first in the world to repair a collapsed trachea using a fully robotic, minimally invasive approach. Their surgeons are highly skilled and can potentially use these techniques for funnel chest surgery.
- Contact Information: Phone: (212) 434 - 4957, Address: 130 E. 77th st, Black Hall, 4th fl New York, NY 10075
Mount Sinai - New York
Mount Sinai's department of thoracic surgery has a long - standing history and high - level expertise.
- Comprehensive Chest Disease Treatment: Their thoracic surgeons are highly skilled in diagnosing and treating all stages of lung cancer, mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, sarcoma, thymoma, carcinoid tumors, and rare tumors of the chest. They also take on tumors deemed “unresectable” by other institutions. They use a team approach, tapping insights from various experts throughout the health system and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
- Minimally Invasive Solutions: To enhance the quality of life for patients, they use the latest advances and minimally invasive solutions. Their experience in chest surgeries and commitment to minimally invasive techniques could make them a reliable choice for funnel chest surgery.
- Leadership and Research: Led by department chair Raja Flores, MD, who is an expert in pleural mesothelioma and esophagectomy, the department continues to contribute to the field through research into new technologies and therapies.
Montefiore Medical Center - Bronx, New York City
The Montefiore Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIMIS) is a comprehensive and state - of - the - art facility in the New York–New Jersey–Connecticut area.
- Advancements in Minimally Invasive Surgery: It is furthering education, treatment, and research in the field of minimally invasive surgery. Their minimally invasive techniques involve using state - of - the - art, specially designed instruments to perform sophisticated surgery through small incisions in the body, which have multiple benefits such as reduced blood loss, scarring, and pain, and shorter hospital stays and recovery times.
- Training and Research: MIMIS is a world - class facility and the premier training and research facility in the tri - state area. It has the largest residency training program in the northeast and trains residents, fellows, and practicing physicians from around the world in the most current minimally invasive surgical techniques. It also serves as a test site for new technologies.
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan
The hospital provides both inpatient and outpatient surgical care.
- Diverse Surgical Services: The department of surgery offers services in multiple subspecialties, including thoracic surgery. From minimally invasive video - assisted surgery to open thoracic procedures with new muscle - sparing incisions, patients can expect a quicker recovery time. Although funnel chest surgery is not highlighted, their overall thoracic surgical capabilities suggest they could potentially offer this service.
- Medical Education and Research: The department participates in student education programs at New York Medical College, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, and Touro College Physician Assistant Student Education Program. Since all of their attending surgeons also teach and some conduct research, they keep up with new developments in medical and surgical science, ensuring high - quality patient care.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Funnel Chest Surgery
Minimally invasive funnel chest surgery offers several advantages over traditional open surgery:
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Less Pain | Since the incisions are smaller, there is less damage to the surrounding tissues, resulting in less postoperative pain. Patients may require less pain medication during the recovery period. |
| Reduced Blood Loss | Minimal incisions mean less disruption of blood vessels, leading to less blood loss during the surgery. This reduces the need for blood transfusions and related risks. |
| Shorter Hospital Stays | Patients can recover more quickly at home as the surgical trauma is minimized. This reduces the overall cost of hospitalization and allows patients to return to their normal lives sooner. |
| Quicker Recovery | The body takes less time to heal from smaller incisions. Patients can resume normal activities such as work or school earlier compared to those who undergo open surgery. |
| Less Scarring | Smaller incisions result in less visible scarring, which can have a positive psychological impact on patients, especially those concerned about their appearance. |
What to Consider When Choosing a Hospital for Minimally Invasive Funnel Chest Surgery
When selecting a hospital for minimally invasive funnel chest surgery, the following factors should be considered:
- Hospital Reputation: Look for hospitals with a good reputation in thoracic surgery. Check ratings from organizations like the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, which indicate the quality of surgical care and patient outcomes.
- Surgeon Expertise: The experience and skill of the surgeon are crucial. Find out how many funnel chest surgeries the surgeon has performed and their success rate.
- Multidisciplinary Team: A hospital with a well - coordinated multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, can ensure comprehensive and high - quality care throughout the treatment process.
- Available Technology: Advanced surgical technology can improve the precision and safety of the surgery. Hospitals with the latest minimally invasive surgical equipment are more likely to offer better treatment.
- Patient Reviews: Reading reviews from other patients who have undergone funnel chest surgery at the hospital can provide valuable insights into the quality of care, patient experience, and postoperative recovery.
- Location and Accessibility: Consider the hospital's location and whether it is easily accessible for pre - operative consultations, the surgery itself, and follow - up appointments.
Conclusion
In New York City, there are several excellent hospitals that offer minimally invasive funnel chest surgery. Institutions like NewYork - Presbyterian Healthcare System's various campuses, Lenox Hill Hospital, Mount Sinai, Montefiore Medical Center, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan have the expertise, resources, and commitment to provide high - quality care. Each hospital has its own unique strengths, whether it's in the form of high - level surgical ratings, advanced technology, or a well - coordinated multidisciplinary team. When considering surgery, patients should carefully evaluate these factors to choose the hospital that best meets their needs.
If you or someone you know is suffering from funnel chest and is interested in minimally invasive surgery, we encourage you to reach out to these hospitals for more information. Consult with their medical teams, gather as much details as possible, and make an informed decision. You can also share this article with others who may benefit from this valuable information about minimally invasive funnel chest surgery in New York City.
