Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo

Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo Dr. Rachel A. Ruotolo is a board-certified Pediatric Plastic and Craniofacial Surgeon.

01/28/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!

I continue to receive a lot of questions about my SUTURE technique and NOSTRIL retainers in my cleft lip repairs. So today, I put together a quick video to better explain their PLACEMENT and PURPOSE.

SUTURES: I temporarily place these prolene sutures to EVERT the lip skin, place dermabond, and then REMOVE each suture one by one after the glue has completely dried. It can be very challenging to remove permanent sutures in an infant, so this technique offers the benefit of the permanent sutures (avoiding suture marks) without having to remove them in the office post-operatively. 👍🏻👍🏻

NOSTRIL STENTS: I use these nasal stents when I perform more extensive intranasal incisions and/or the alar rim needs extra support during the healing process. The nostril is a circular structure, and you want to avoid any scar contracture during the healing process that may constrict the nostril shape. If this happens, it is a VERY challenging issue to correct in the future.

Watch 👀 the following video 🎥 where I take you behind-the-scenes in the OR showing how I place these prolene sutures and nostril retainers after a cleft lip repair.

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.

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.

01/27/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!!

Remember yesterday’s markings ✒️ video!?

Here he is BEFORE and immediately AFTER his cleft lip 👄 and nasal 👃🏼 reconstruction.

Watch this video 🎥 to view his on-table reconstruction!

Stay tuned for updates on his progress over the next few weeks and months!

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.

01/26/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!

It’s !! 🖊️🖊️

Today I’m highlighting the intra-op markings of a recent LEFT sided INCOMPLETE  cleft lip 👄 and nasal 👃🏼 reconstruction.

Remember, EVERY cleft lip repair is unique, therefore the markings and the surgery itself are customized to address each baby’s specific anatomy.

Details. Details. Details. 🤓👌🏻

Stay tuned for updates on this little boy’s progress!

As always, leave your questions and comments below. 👇🏼

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.

**Note: Every surgery has risks and individual results may vary.

01/21/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!

Watch the following Reel 🎥 cataloging this ’s progress over the past 1 year following his bilateral INCOMPLETE cleft lip and nasal reconstruction and cleft 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 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.

**Note: Every surgery has risks, and results may vary.

01/19/2026

Hi 👋🏼 everyone!

It’s !! 🖊️🖊️

Today I’m highlighting the intra-op markings of a recent LEFT sided COMPLETE  cleft lip 👄 and nasal 👃🏼 reconstruction.

Remember, EVERY cleft lip repair is unique, therefore the markings and the surgery itself are customized to address each baby’s specific anatomy.

Details. Details. Details. 🤓👌🏻

Stay tuned for updates on this little girl’s progress!

As always, leave your questions and comments below. 👇🏼

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.

Note: Every surgery has risks and individual results may vary.

01/16/2026

Hi 👋🏼 Everyone!

This little girl was born with a prematurely fused skull 💀 suture, otherwise known as craniosynostosis. In her particular case, the metopic suture (located along the midline of forehead) was fused.

Craniosynostosis causes a growth restriction in the affected part of the skull. When the metopic suture is fused, it presents as a triangular
shaped skull.

This little girl underwent cranial vault remodeling (ACVR) 💀. This involved:
- removing the fused suture
and other affected skull bones ✅
- reshaping the bones and placing them back in their new position with dissolvable plates, screws 🔩, and sutures. ✅

She is seen here BEFORE, immediately after surgery, and then just 1 month following her ACVR. I follow these children annually until they reach craniofaical maturity to assess their cranial growth and monitor for recurrence.

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. It is important to note that every surgery has risks and results may vary.

01/15/2026

How many surgeries do cleft babies need? 🤔 Listen 👂🏻 here to find out!

As always, leave your questions in the comments below 👇🏻!!

Address

Garden City South, NY

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+15165043014

Website

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