Dr. Thorrel performed Chiari Malformation surgery on me last October 11th, 2022. All my care is under the UNMC “hood!” Even my PCP said that she thinks that Thorell is the smartest of them all at the med center. With that said, after surgery, I was in the icu for 4 days, mind you this is the most painful freak’n surgery I have ever had, and I’ve had a ton including spinal fusions. Got sent home after the 4th day and about two days later I started to get really high fevers of 103-104. Call the attending at unmc and he would say come in but by the time we got there it would break, so back home we go. This went on and on until the 26th of October when all hell broke loose for me. My incision opened and I was leaking cerebral spinal fluid just like you turned the dang water on. Had to see he PA that morning and he just stuffed it and sent me on my way, I had to go back to unmc to see my oral surgeon who will be breaking both of my jaws and pulling everything forward in January. Anyway, he seen that and asked if I wanted him to replace it which he did. It blew out of my scar by the time I had gotten home. Very long story here so sorry! Wife gets home and sees me sitting on the sofa with a wash cloth on the back of my head. Off the er we go, attending comes in and puts 15 stitches in the back of my head with no lidocaine as he didn’t want that to get between my brain/skull and that felt wonderful! About 45 minutes later, my head feels like it’s the size of a beach ball and the attending comes back in and puts a spinal drain in me. Holy smokes, I do not recommend getting one of those. By now my fever had came back and I had a infectious disease dr in my room along with two cardiologists in my room as my monitor and ekg was going all over the place. I remember mumbling out hey guys I’m getting light headed? My wife said that my body went limp, I passed out, and then went into a massive seizure and then went into cardiac arrest and they had to shock me twice to get me back. Moral of the story, Thorell was calling in pretty much every hour all night long checking in on me to see how I was doing. I ended up contracting spinal meningitis so Thorell had to open me up and clean that out. The morning of the surgery he explained what he was doing in lamens term as they didn’t understand. When I get back to my room my OR nurse comes in and asks how me and my wife are doing, my wife responds with well how are you? She says, I thought about not coming in today but when I found out I was gonna be with Thorrel I had to come in. I saw him last month again and gave him a thank you card even though it about killed me off, the surgery was a success and I’m happy with it. Don’t wanna go through that again. But I also had mri’s of my c-spine and lumbar. He missed the ball on that one and I went to my normal neurosurgeon Ric Jenson. He’s like I can’t believe Thorrel missed this? I’m like I know! He said Thorrell is a great friend of his and yet again I hear that he is one of the smartest guys he knows. That’s only negative thing I will say about the man. Now I have to have my neck fused again and then my back….

Submitted Nov. 9, 2023

He saved my sons life. Wouldn’t go to anyone else.

Submitted Aug. 28, 2018

I was diagnosed with an AV Dural Fistula, cerebellum, high grade, high flow, March 2015. Basically a time bomb in your brain with no happy ending. Doctor Thorell and his team did an initial mapping of the blood flow in the affected area via a floroscopic angiogram, which is done while you are awake. Near the end of April 2015, Dr. Thorell successfully repaired the defect using a plan developed from the initial angiogram information. I was in and out of the hospital in 24 hours, from ICU to the street without so much as a headache or any side effects. After a year and three followup MRIs it is apparent that the condition is completely corrected. Dr. Thorell takes the time to discuss the medical issues and possible complications, answer any questions and take whatever time you need to get comfortable. He will call you at home at 6:30 in the evening to answer a question, even if he has had a long day fixing head traumas and strokes. The Omaha area is very blessed to have this doctor, extremely talented, approachable and totally without pretense. His staff is also very capable, professional and accommodating.
The cath facility at the med center is also impressive.

Submitted May 1, 2016

I sought him out after Dr. George Green treated me like a drug abuser. Turned out I had another brain tumor. Dr Thorell takes the time to listen and is willing to think outside of the box. Awesome physician!

Submitted July 22, 2015

I'm in early stages of my treatment but I am extremely impressed. Helping me totally understand my problem and my choices could not have been better. Extremely likeable guy also. My entire family appreciated his willingness to spend the time to answer their questions also. As one of the other reviews touched on ... his confidence is very reassuring. Jim Wilkinson

Submitted Aug. 8, 2014

Thankful to have been cared for by Dr. Thorell. Although the coiling was not successful I survived the surgery and know I had the best doctor to care for me.

Submitted Feb. 23, 2014

I want you to know you are in good hands. We went in not knowing a thing about the man. Initial appointments as well as surgery day he has been a blessing for our family. Though he is very intelligent, he talks to you and not above you, which is an oddity nowadays. He is very confident in his work but what impressed me the most is that he takes the time to answer your questions. I cannot say enough good things about him.

Submitted Aug. 17, 2013

A very personable and kind doctor. He is an expert in his area of study.

Submitted Jan. 9, 2011

I credit him with saving my life, he doesn't. Very humble man. Highly intelligent, kind with a fantastic sense of humor. He is very straightforward which is hard for me to take but it gives you all the information needed to handle your situation. Can't say enough good. Very good interaction with family which is a big plus. Very approachable.

Submitted Sept. 21, 2008

Submitted Sept. 15, 2008