Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo

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Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo

Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo is a board-certified Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeon.
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12/03/2026

How do I recommend managing scalp scar widening after craniosynostosis reconstruction? Listen 👂🏻 here to find out!

Leave your questions in the comments below 👇🏻.

10/03/2026

Happy Tuesday!! 🤗

Today I’m discussing SYNDACTYLY and POLYSYNDACTYLY.

Syndactyly is the “webbing” or fusion of fingers and toes.

Polydactyly is when the baby is born with extra fingers ☝🏻and/or toes🦶🏻.

POLYSYNDACTYLY is when the baby is born with FUSED and EXTRA digits.

Surgery is typically performed before 1 year of age. The benefit of this age range is that the post operative course requires casting for ~3 weeks. This is very well tolerated in babies. In addition, at this age, the harvested skin grafts (if needed) are smaller and thus heal much quicker than larger grafts in older patients.

We stress the importance of proper postoperative care including dressing changes 🩹 immediately after cast removal and taping for one year postop to prevent creeping within the webspace.

Goals of repair include recreating the webspace and lining the sides of the newly separated digits with either skin grafts or local skin flaps. Skin grafts, if needed, are harvested from the lower abdomen for upper extremity cases and from the ankle in isolated lower extremity cases. These areas are a great color match and the scar ends up nicely hidden and barely discernible! 👌🏼

Finally, in situations where there are multiple sequential digits involved, sometimes the surgery needs to be staged. If staging is needed, these are usually scheduled approximately three months apart.

Any questions about syndactyly or polysyndactyly?? Leave them in the comments below 👇🏻

These images are the property of Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo and NYPSG and are not authorized for use by any other party.

This is my actual patient with real results who has given informed consent (directly or indirectly via parents) to appear on my website and social media pages.

09/03/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!

Watch the following Reel 🎥 cataloging this ’s progress over the past 11 years following her right unilateral COMPLETE cleft lip repair.

It is so very important for parents to see and understand the many changes that occur to the lip, nose and scar during the months and years following their child’s cleft repair.

The lip is often pink and firm for many months after the surgery. The scar may also contract, causing shortening of the lip, making it appear as if the cleft is recurring.

I try my best to reassure parents along the way, as SO many changes happen over time. Some changes will require intervention, and others just need time and (of course) patience. 😇 👼

As you can see in this video 🎥, patience and time ⏰ are essential in allowing the lip and nose to soften and settle. 👌🏻

Mission: Changing children’s lives, one smile 😃 at a time.

These images are the property of Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo and NYPSG and are not authorized for use by any other party.

This is my actual patient with real results who has given informed consent (directly or indirectly via parents) to appear on my website and social media pages.

04/03/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!

It’s time for our March 🍀🌈☀️ Cleft & Craniofacial Team Conference photoshoot 📸 !!

Here are a few sweet captured moments with our cleft and craniofacial cuties!!

💙Alan is almost 7 years following unilateral cleft lip and palate repair
🩷 Lucia is almost 9 years following bilateral cleft lip and palate repair
💜 Keyner is 13 years following unilateral cleft lip and palate repair
💛Tristan is almost 8 years following cleft palate repair
💚Nicole is 2.5 years after cleft lip revision

Where does time ⏰ go!?!? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I can’t stress how important it is in craniofacial surgery to be part of a strong team. I am so grateful to be surrounded by this amazing group of orthodontists, oral surgeons, dentists, geneticists, ENT’s, nurses, social workers and speech pathologists. We meet together once a month to evaluate our patients and formulate current and long term plans for these kids. It is so important for parents to know that there is strong, cohesive team behind the care of their kids.

Mission: Transforming children’s lives one smile at a time. 😄

These images are the property of Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo and NYPSG and are not authorized for use by any other party.

These are my actual patients with real results who have given informed consent (directly or indirectly via parents) to appear on my website and social media pages. It is important to note that every surgery has risks and individual results may vary.

cleftpalate

03/03/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!

Watch the following Reel 🎥 cataloging this ’s progress over the past 13.5 years following her right unilateral COMPLETE cleft lip and palate repair.

It is so very important for parents to see and understand the many changes that occur to the lip, nose and scar during the months and years following their child’s cleft repair.

The lip is often pink and firm for many months after the surgery. The scar may also contract, causing shortening of the lip, making it appear as if the cleft is recurring.

I try my best to reassure parents along the way, as SO many changes happen over time. Some changes will require intervention, and others just need time and (of course) patience. 😇 👼

As you can see in this video 🎥, patience and time ⏰ are essential in allowing the lip and nose to soften and settle. 👌🏻

Mission: Changing children’s lives, one smile 😃 at a time.

These images are the property of Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo and NYPSG and are not authorized for use by any other party.

This is my actual patient with real results who has given informed consent (directly or indirectly via parents) to appear on my website and social media pages.

02/03/2026

Replying to marikagarufi What is the ideal timing of ear molding and Otoplasty? 🤔🤔
Listen here for the answers!

# #

27/02/2026

Wondering 🤔 how a baby’s skull bones are reshaped in craniosynostosis ??? Listen 👂🏻 here to find out!

26/02/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone! Let’s talk about non-surgical ear 👂🏻 molding!!

This video 🎥 details behind-the-scenes footage of placement of non-surgical ear molding as well as highlighting several different congenital ear 👂🏻 deformities BEFORE and AFTER treatment. 👍🏻

Ear molding is an amazing technique that NON-SURGICALLY corrects and reshapes many different types of congenital ear deformities.

Ear molding must be started shortly after birth, ideally within the first 1-2 weeks for optimal results. Success of the procedure is dependent upon the residual maternal estrogen that is circulating in the newborn during the first 2 months of life. This hormone helps to soften the ear cartilage and allows it to be amenable to molding. Recommended treatment length averages 6-8 weeks, until the ear cartilage becomes firmer and can hold the new shape. Babies must be seen weekly in the office to clean/check the prosthetic position and/or replace it.

Successful remodeling will serve to avoid the need for surgical reconstruction in the future….which is the goal of every parent 👍🏻😉!

If your newborn or someone you know has folded or crimped ears, please call (☎️ 516-742-3404) my office for a consultation to see if they are a candidate for ear molding. This procedure is covered by most insurance plans 👍🏻.

These images are the property of Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo and NYPSG and are not authorized for use by any other party.

These are my actual patients with real results who have given informed consent (directly or indirectly via parents) to appear on my website and social media pages.

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Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 19:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 19:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 19:00
Thursday	08:00 - 19:00
Friday	08:00 - 19:00

Telephone

+15165043014

Website

https://www.lipsg.com/doctors/plastic-surgeon-dr-ruotolo-new-york-nyc/

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