David E. Skarda, MD

Dr. David E. Skarda, M.D., M.B.A., is a leader in pediatric surgical care, dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for your child (baby, toddler, school-age, or teen). His unique qualifications include specialized training in minimally invasive surgical techniques and being the sole DaVinci robot-certified and credentialed pediatric surgeon in the Intermountain West.

As a board-certified pediatric surgeon in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at Primary Children’s Hospitals, Dr. Skarda is committed to providing leading-edge compassionate surgical care promptly. He places a strong emphasis on patient education, ensuring that you fully understand the procedures, options, risks, and benefits. He is available for new patient consultations at his clinics at Primary Children’s Hospitals (Salt Lake City and Lehi, Utah) and St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Montana.

Dr. Skarda has specific clinical experience and expertise in surgically managing chronic nausea and abdominal pain syndromes in children and teenagers, including median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA), gastroparesis, biliary dyskinesia (pain from a gallbladder that does not work well), and symptomatic cholelithiasis (pain from gallstones). Notably, Dr. Skarda works as part of an organized multidisciplinary team to correctly diagnose and treat these conditions.He is happy to see patients via telemedicine technology (such as Zoom) for most conditions.
An in-person visit may be necessary for some conditions where direct examination is critical. Our clinic nurses can help you know if a face-to-face visit is needed or helpful.

He speaks Spanish.
He will talk to you and/or your child’s doctor.

Dr. Skarda specializes in the following elective conditions through the clinic:

• Inguinal hernia
• Umbilical hernia
• Cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder)
• G Tube (both placement and removal of a stomach tube)
• Reflux (Nissan fundoplication and redo fundoplications for recurrent reflux, robotic)
• Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS, robotic)
• Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA, robotic)
• Gastroparesis
• Paraesophageal hernia (robotic)
• Hiatal Hernia (robotic)
• Vascular access
• Chest wall deformities (pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum)
• Pneumothorax
• Urachal and omphalomesenteric remnants

He specializes in the following emergent and urgent

• Appendectomy (removal of the appendix)
• Intestinal obstructions
• Intestinal atresias
• Esophageal atresia
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• Volvulus
• Malrotation

In his free time, Dr. Skarda likes spending time with his wife Paula, their adult children, and their grandchild at home, traveling and outdoors. Additionally, Dr. Skarda is a pilot and enjoys learning new skills.