Dr. David Notrica

We were very happy with our experience at PCH with Dr. Notrica. His coordinator Jackie Hurley was extremely helpful in explaining the process and getting us to the right people for pre-surgery work ups even though we live several hundred miles away in San Diego.

Our son was set to have the surgery done in San Diego when the surgeon closed his practice suddenly. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because it made me sit down and do more research on the Nuss procedure. Not all Nuss’ are the same. The surgeons at Phoenix Children’s hospital have improved on the original procedure. I was particularly happy to see they did away with the cumbersome bracket and use Cryoablation. The cryoablation allowed my son to forego the opioids after 4 or 5 days. Amazing!

PCH has a dedicated Nuss program Not all hospitals are as dedicated to perfecting this procedure. We were impressed with the doctors, the nurses, the coordinator and the hospital.

My sons bars went in a year and a half ago and he was able run track a few months after surgery. Before the surgery he could barely do 100m without gassing out, now he is able to sprint much further. We are very pleased. It has improved his over all health and everyday comfort.

I highly recommend this program, doctor and hospital.

Dr. Notrica is an incredibly gifted surgeon who helped me get my life back. My Pectus Excavatum was so severe that I could fit my whole fist into the chest depression. As I grew, the Pectus Excavatum impaired my heart and lung function to a point where my quality of life was greatly diminished – sleeping 18 hours/day and having no endurance during physical activity. Dr. Notrica reviewed my case and thought that a Nuss Procedure would be ideal for my situation. Dr. Notrica and Jackie Hurley (the Pectus care coordinator) went over everything in great detail for my parents and me. Although I was scared to have the surgery itself, I knew it was medically necessary for my long-term future. The easy part for me was sleeping through the surgery while my parents waited and Doctors Notrica and McMahon did all the hard work. It was really cool to learn that my outer incisions were sealed up with the same kind of super glue that the military uses for battle wounds in the field. I ended up needing three Nuss bars due to the size and the complexity of my condition. I stayed at Phoenix Children’s Hospital for four days before being released. The staff at PCH was awesome and did a great job of getting me back on my feet. I really must stress the importance of doing the spirometer breathing exercises that Dr. Notrica gives you. It hurts in the beginning but gradually gets better – remember: no pain, no gain. I also went through several months of physical therapy at a sports rehab center to regain my range of motion and strength, although not everyone needs this. I am one-year post op and am slated to keep my bars in for another two years. I highly recommend him and his practice for anyone needing a Nuss Procedure for Pectus Excavatum repair, as they were awesome. I know Dr. Notrica saved my life.

We are so pleased with the entire experience with Dr Notrica, Jackie Hurley (program coordinator), his office staff, all members of our daughter's surgery team, and the exceptional medical providers at Phoenix Children's Hospital. The PE evaluation process was thorough and found that our daughter was having PVCs, which was making her heart work very hard. This is something that was left unidentified by all previously involved doctors, so we are quite thankful that it was picked up. After her procedure, her PVCs are now gone, as well as her chest pain and shortness of breath. She is 2 months post and is feeling energetic and happy. Dr Notrica is not only very skilled, but has been so easy to communicate with and interact with. Jackie has been very informative and comforting along the whole process and especially on the day of surgery and during our daughter's stay in the hospital. Our daughter's repair has had a significantly positive impact on how she feels. We are incredibly thankful!

It has been two months since my son has had his pectus excavatum surgery with Dr. Notrica and his Pectus Care Coordinator Jackie Hurley. The team he has assembled is top notch from the office staff to the surgical team and hospital. Being a Registered Nurse myself and having some knowledge of healthcare, I did my due diligence with the Nuss Procedure and researching Dr. Notrica. I have been very impressed from the first visit where Dr. Notrica and Jackie took their time to answer my over the top questions but also made sure my son's questions were answered and he was involved in the process. They walked us through the whole process from initial tests to discharging from the hospital after surgery. Dr. Notrica's team uses the latest research and procedures to make it as safe and comfortable for the patient and their families as possible. Having the procedure done at Phoenix Childrens Hospital just complimented the whole experience with their excellent staff and care.. When I asked my son if he would do it all over again his simple answer is "yes". Thank you Dr. Notrica

Dr. Notrica and his team were awesome, and I'm so grateful for all that they did! !!