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Related Research Units

Research Overview

One aspect of David Mooney's research is focused on evaluating and improving pediatric trauma care. To this end, he has conducted studies on regional differences in care and the impact on care of implementing practice guidelines.

In a related area of research, he explores the causes and outcomes of accidents in children and adolescents, including trauma sustained while skiing, snowboarding, bicycling and driving or riding in cars. The data collected have provided a basis for accident prevention programs.

Research Background

David Mooney received his MD from St. Louis University School of Medicine. He completed an internship and residency at the Medical Center Hospital in Burlington, VT, along with a research fellowship in Surgical Immunology. He completed his pediatric surgical training at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Dr. Mooney earned a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University in 2006.

Dr. Mooney is a past-chair of the trauma committee of the American Pediatric Surgical Association and initiated a pediatric trauma outcomes group. He was the founding president of the Pediatric Trauma Society. He is a member of the Section on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He is the faculty lead of Team Brazil, a Brazil-based healthcare outcomes group at the Program for Global Surgery and Social Change at Harvard Medical School. He also founded and directs the largest dedicated Pilonidal Care Clinic in North America and has conducted several research studies of that condition.

Education

Undergraduate School

St. Louis University
1980 St. Louis MO

Graduate School

Harvard School of Public Health
2006 Boston MA

Medical School

St. Louis University School of Medicine
1985 St. Louis MO

Internship

Medical Center Hospital of Vermont
1986 Burlington VT

Residency

Medical Center Hospital of Vermont
1991 Burlington VT

Fellowship

Children's Mercy Hospital
1993 Kansas City MO

Media

Caregiver Profile

Meet Dr. David P. Mooney

About the Condition

What is pilonidal disease?

Publications

  1. Management of Burn Injuries in Brazil by Total Body Surface Area Affected. World J Surg. 2026 Feb 22. View Abstract
  2. Nerve Pathology in Children with Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome. Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2026 Feb 21; 10935266261420013. View Abstract
  3. Pediatric adrenal injuries: a single center 30-year review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2026 Jan 22; 52(1):25. View Abstract
  4. In-Office Pit Excision for Pilonidal Disease Using Needle-Free Local Anesthesia: A Minimally Invasive, Non-Operative Treatment Approach. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2025 Dec 29. View Abstract
  5. Exploring gender-related disparities in mental health and parenthood among surgeons: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Surg. 2026 Feb; 252:116732. View Abstract
  6. Topical lidocaine or not for laser follicle ablation in pilonidal disease: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial. J Pediatr Surg. 2026 Jan; 61(1):162747. View Abstract
  7. The management of cryptorchidism in Brazil: An ecological overview. J Pediatr Urol. 2025 Dec; 21(6):1813-1819. View Abstract
  8. Determinants of surgical approach to pediatric appendicitis in Brazil. Pediatr Surg Int. 2025 May 20; 41(1):141. View Abstract
  9. Abandoning scientific colonization in pediatric global surgery: breaking barriers in knowledge dissemination to close gaps in surgical care. World J Pediatr Surg. 2025; 8(2):e001033. View Abstract
  10. Multicenter external validation of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network rule to identify children at very low risk for intra-abdominal injury requiring acute intervention. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2025 Jun 01; 98(6):966-972. View Abstract
  11. Public health system expenditure on motor vehicle collisions in Brazil: an ecological study. Acta Cir Bras. 2025; 40:e402525. View Abstract
  12. Gender Differences in Adolescent Pilonidal Disease. J Pediatr Surg. 2025 May; 60(5):162267. View Abstract
  13. Research trends in pediatric splenic trauma in Brazil: how much has changed in the last two decades? Acta Cir Bras. 2024; 39:e399524. View Abstract
  14. Unveiling patterns in pediatric appendectomy: A comparative study on healthcare resource capacity and surgical decisions in Brazil. World J Surg. 2024 11; 48(11):2678-2685. View Abstract
  15. Frequency of splenectomy for pediatric splenic injury in Brazil: a retrospective analysis. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2024 Aug; 36:100844. View Abstract
  16. Social determinants of gastrointestinal malformation mortality in Brazil: a national study. World J Pediatr Surg. 2024; 7(2):e000759. View Abstract
  17. Implementation of a Global Pediatric Trauma Course in an Upper Middle-Income Country: A Pilot Study. J Surg Res. 2024 Jun; 298:355-363. View Abstract
  18. Prevalence and outcomes of high versus low ratio plasma to red blood cell resuscitation in a multi-institutional cohort of severely injured children. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2024 Sep 01; 97(3):452-459. View Abstract
  19. Delivery of essential pediatric congenital surgical care within Brazil's universal health coverage system: a national survey of pediatric surgeons. World J Pediatr Surg. 2023; 6(3):e000534. View Abstract
  20. Crystalloid volume is associated with short-term morbidity in children with severe traumatic brain injury: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter trial post hoc analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2023 07 01; 95(1):78-86. View Abstract
  21. Resolution of Mild Pilonidal Disease in Adolescents Without Resection. J Am Coll Surg. 2022 11 01; 235(5):773-776. View Abstract
  22. The impact of COVID-19 on routine pediatric vaccination delivery in Brazil. Vaccine. 2022 04 01; 40(15):2292-2298. View Abstract
  23. Association between government policy and delays in emergent and elective surgical care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a modeling study. Lancet Reg Health Am. 2021 Nov; 3:100056. View Abstract
  24. Implementation of a checklist to improve pediatric trauma assessment quality in a Brazilian hospital. Pediatr Surg Int. 2021 Oct; 37(10):1339-1348. View Abstract
  25. Potentially Avertable Child Mortality Associated with Surgical Workforce Scale-up in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Global Study. World J Surg. 2021 09; 45(9):2643-2652. View Abstract
  26. Contemporary management of pediatric open skull fractures: a multicenter pediatric trauma center study. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2021 05 01; 27(5):533-537. View Abstract
  27. A minimally invasive pilonidal protocol improves quality of life in adolescents. J Pediatr Surg. 2021 Oct; 56(10):1861-1864. View Abstract
  28. When to take it out? Optimal timing of interval appendectomy in 500 consecutive children. J Pediatr Surg. 2021 Oct; 56(10):1822-1825. View Abstract
  29. Perspectives on perioperative management of children's surgical conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic in low-income and middle-income countries: a global survey. World J Pediatr Surg. 2020; 3(3):e000187. View Abstract
  30. Comparison of regional analgesia techniques for pleurodesis pain in pediatric patients. Paediatr Anaesth. 2020 10; 30(10):1102-1108. View Abstract
  31. Pediatric trauma primary survey performance among surgical and non-surgical pediatric providers in a Brazilian trauma center. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2020; 5(1):e000451. View Abstract
  32. Unintentional Window Falls in Children and Adolescents. Acad Pediatr. 2021 04; 21(3):497-503. View Abstract
  33. Variation in management of pediatric post-traumatic urine leaks. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2022 Feb; 48(1):173-178. View Abstract
  34. Defining a Research Agenda for Layperson Prehospital Hemorrhage Control: A Consensus Statement. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 07 01; 3(7):e209393. View Abstract
  35. Timing and volume of crystalloid and blood products in pediatric trauma: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter prospective observational study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 07; 89(1):36-42. View Abstract
  36. Endoscopic cyst gastrostomy for traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children: a case series. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2020; 5(1):e000456. View Abstract
  37. Eliminating Opiate Prescribing for Children after Non-Perforated Appendectomy. J Am Coll Surg. 2020 06; 230(6):944-946. View Abstract
  38. The technique of cutaneous neurectomy for anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Jun; 55(6):1142-1144. View Abstract
  39. Pediatric sternal fractures: A single center retrospective review. J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Jul; 55(7):1224-1227. View Abstract
  40. Improving Resource Utilization and Outcomes Using a Minimally Invasive Pilonidal Protocol. J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Jan; 55(1):182-186. View Abstract
  41. Does the incidence of thoracic aortic injury warrant the routine use of chest computed tomography in children? J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2019 01; 86(1):97-100. View Abstract
  42. Diagnosis and Treatment of Slipping Rib Syndrome. Clin J Sport Med. 2019 01; 29(1):18-23. View Abstract
  43. Pit-picking resolves pilonidal disease in adolescents. J Pediatr Surg. 2019 Jan; 54(1):174-176. View Abstract
  44. Pediatric renal injury: which injury grades warrant close follow-up. Pediatr Surg Int. 2018 Nov; 34(11):1183-1187. View Abstract
  45. Neurectomy for anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome in children. J Pediatr Surg. 2018 Aug; 53(8):1547-1549. View Abstract
  46. Acute procedural interventions after pediatric blunt abdominal trauma: A prospective multicenter evaluation. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2017 10; 83(4):597-602. View Abstract
  47. Pneumatoceles in pediatric blunt trauma: Common and benign. J Pediatr Surg. 2018 Jul; 53(7):1310-1312. View Abstract
  48. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma in children after blunt abdominal trauma: A multi-institutional analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2017 08; 83(2):218-224. View Abstract
  49. The prevalence of incidental findings on computed tomography of the abdomen/pelvis in pediatric trauma patients. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2018 Feb; 44(1):15-18. View Abstract
  50. Acute Procedural Interventions Following Pediatric Blunt Abdominal Trauma: A Prospective Multicenter Evaluation. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2017 Apr 27. View Abstract
  51. Contrast enhanced ultrasound for the evaluation of blunt pediatric abdominal trauma. J Pediatr Surg. 2018 Mar; 53(3):548-552. View Abstract
  52. Can we safely decrease intensive care unit admissions for children with high grade isolated solid organ injuries? Using the shock index, pediatric age-adjusted and hematocrit to modify APSA admission guidelines. J Pediatr Surg. 2017 Jun; 52(6):989-992. View Abstract
  53. Head and Cervical Spine Evaluation for the Pediatric Surgeon. Surg Clin North Am. 2017 Feb; 97(1):35-58. View Abstract
  54. Letter to the Editor: "Post-traumatic liver and splenic pseudoaneurysms in children: Diagnosis, management, and follow-up screening using contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)" by Durkin et al J Pediatr Surg 51 (2016) 289-292. J Pediatr Surg. 2017 02; 52(2):367-368. View Abstract
  55. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of a pediatric cervical spine clearance algorithm that minimizes computerized tomography. J Pediatr Surg. 2017 Jan; 52(1):130-135. View Abstract
  56. The lost art of the splenorrhaphy. J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Nov; 51(11):1881-1884. View Abstract
  57. Outcomes of pediatric patients with persistent midline cervical spine tenderness and negative imaging result after trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2015 Nov; 79(5):822-7. View Abstract
  58. The value of official reinterpretation of trauma computed tomography scans from referring hospitals. J Pediatr Surg. 2016 Mar; 51(3):486-9. View Abstract
  59. Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome in Children. J Pediatr Surg. 2015 Jul; 50(7):1177-9. View Abstract
  60. Successful percutaneous management of traumatic abdominal compartment syndrome in a child. J Trauma Nurs. 2015 Jan-Feb; 22(1):14-6; quiz E1-2. View Abstract
  61. Twenty-years of splenic preservation at a level 1 pediatric trauma center. J Pediatr Surg. 2015 May; 50(5):864-8. View Abstract
  62. Simple formulas to determine optimal subclavian central venous catheter tip placement in infants and children. J Pediatr Surg. 2014 Jul; 49(7):1109-12. View Abstract
  63. An Inpatient Child Passenger Safety program. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2013 Nov; 52(11):1022-8. View Abstract
  64. Pediatric blunt abdominal aortic injury and the use of intra-operative aortic ultrasound for surgical decision making. J Pediatr Surg. 2013 Jul; 48(7):1584-7. View Abstract
  65. Pediatric thoracic and abdominal trauma. Minerva Chir. 2013 Jun; 68(3):263-74. View Abstract
  66. Impact of trauma system development on pediatric injury care. Pediatr Surg Int. 2013 Mar; 29(3):263-8. View Abstract
  67. Transarterial embolization in children with blunt splenic injury results in postembolization syndrome: a matched case-control study. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012 Dec; 73(6):1558-63. View Abstract
  68. Operative blunt duodenal injury in children: a multi-institutional review. J Pediatr Surg. 2012 Oct; 47(10):1833-6. View Abstract
  69. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) reduce costs in the management of isolated splenic injuries at pediatric trauma centers. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2013 Feb; 398(2):313-5. View Abstract
  70. Home safety practices in an urban low-income population: level of agreement between parental self-report and observed behaviors. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2012 Dec; 51(12):1119-24. View Abstract
  71. Periampullary duodenal duplication cyst masquerading as a choledochocele. Pediatr Surg Int. 2012 Oct; 28(10):1035-9. View Abstract
  72. Variation in computed tomography radiation dose in community hospitals. J Pediatr Surg. 2012 Jun; 47(6):1167-9. View Abstract
  73. Delayed presentation of traumatic infrapopliteal arteriovenous fistula and pseudoaneursym in a 10-year-old boy managed by coil embolization. J Pediatr Surg. 2012 Feb; 47(2):e7-10. View Abstract
  74. The management of pancreatic injuries in children: operate or observe. J Pediatr Surg. 2011 Jun; 46(6):1140-3. View Abstract
  75. Pediatric appendicitis in New England: epidemiology and outcomes. J Pediatr Surg. 2011 Jun; 46(6):1106-14. View Abstract
  76. Utility of amylase and lipase as predictors of grade of injury or outcomes in pediatric patients with pancreatic trauma. J Pediatr Surg. 2011 May; 46(5):923-6. View Abstract
  77. The modern paediatric injury pyramid: injuries in Massachusetts children and adolescents. Inj Prev. 2010 Apr; 16(2):123-6. View Abstract
  78. Impact of surgical approach on outcome in 622 consecutive pyloromyotomies at a pediatric teaching institution. J Pediatr Surg. 2009 Nov; 44(11):2119-25. View Abstract
  79. Multiple level injuries in pediatric spinal trauma. J Trauma. 2009 Sep; 67(3):537-42. View Abstract
  80. Clinical policy: critical issues in the sedation of pediatric patients in the emergency department. J Emerg Nurs. 2008 Jun; 34(3):e33-107. View Abstract
  81. Clinical policy: Critical issues in the sedation of pediatric patients in the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. 2008 Apr; 51(4):378-99, 399.e1-57. View Abstract
  82. Pediatric blunt abdominal injury: age is irrelevant and delayed operation is not detrimental. J Trauma. 2007 Sep; 63(3):608-14. View Abstract
  83. Long-term outcome of nonoperative pediatric splenic injury management. J Pediatr Surg. 2007 Jun; 42(6):1038-41; discussion 1041-2. View Abstract
  84. Pediatric trauma care: a profitable enterprise? J Pediatr Surg. 2007 Jun; 42(6):1043-5; discussion 1045-6. View Abstract
  85. Pediatric pancreatic trauma: predictors of nonoperative management failure and associated outcomes. J Pediatr Surg. 2007 Feb; 42(2):340-4. View Abstract
  86. Variation in the management of pediatric splenic injuries in the United States. J Trauma. 2006 Aug; 61(2):330-3; discussion 333. View Abstract
  87. Rate and prediction of traumatic injuries detected by abdominal computed tomography scan in intubated children. J Trauma. 2006 Aug; 61(2):340-5. View Abstract
  88. The use of routine laboratory studies as screening tools in pediatric abdominal trauma. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2006 Jul; 22(7):480-4. View Abstract
  89. Building a trauma center and system in Tuscany, Italy. Intern Emerg Med. 2006; 1(4):302-4. View Abstract
  90. The failure of nonoperative management in pediatric solid organ injury: a multi-institutional experience. J Trauma. 2005 Dec; 59(6):1309-13. View Abstract
  91. A randomized clinical trial of the management of esophageal coins in children. Pediatrics. 2005 Sep; 116(3):614-9. View Abstract
  92. Physiology after pediatric splenic injury. J Trauma. 2005 Jan; 58(1):108-11. View Abstract
  93. Trends in inpatient pediatric trauma care in new England. J Trauma. 2004 Dec; 57(6):1241-5. View Abstract
  94. Congenital adrenocortical adenoma: case report and review of literature. Pediatr Radiol. 2004 Dec; 34(12):991-4. View Abstract
  95. A case of human botfly infestation in a child who had recently returned from Central America. J Pediatr Surg. 2004 Sep; 39(9):1446; author reply 1446. View Abstract
  96. Application of the APSA evidence-based guidelines for isolated liver or spleen injuries: a single institution experience. J Pediatr Surg. 2004 Mar; 39(3):487-90; discussion 487-90. View Abstract
  97. Variation in the management of pediatric splenic injuries in New England. J Trauma. 2004 Feb; 56(2):328-33. View Abstract
  98. Tissue-engineered neomucosa: morphology, enterocyte dynamics, and SGLT1 expression topography. Transplantation. 2003 Jan 27; 75(2):181-5. View Abstract
  99. Hypokalemia in acutely injured children: a benign laboratory abnormality. J Trauma. 2003 Jan; 54(1):197-8. View Abstract
  100. Multiple trauma: liver and spleen injury. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2002 Aug; 14(4):482-5. View Abstract
  101. Hepatic exstrophy complicating Poland's anomaly. J Pediatr Surg. 2002 Aug; 37(8):1203-4. View Abstract
  102. Tissue-engineered colon exhibits function in vivo. Surgery. 2002 Aug; 132(2):200-4. View Abstract
  103. Hydrostatic balloon dilation of congenital esophageal stenoses associated with esophageal atresia. J Pediatr Surg. 2000 Dec; 35(12):1742-5. View Abstract
  104. Long-term follow-up of tissue-engineered intestine after anastomosis to native small bowel. Transplantation. 2000 May 15; 69(9):1927-32. View Abstract
  105. Soft-tissue augmentation with injectable alginate and syngeneic fibroblasts. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000 May; 105(6):2049-58. View Abstract
  106. The posterior approach to pyloric sonography. Pediatr Radiol. 2000 Apr; 30(4):256-7. View Abstract
  107. Prolonged intestinal exposure to amniotic fluid does not result in peel formation in gastroschisis. J Pediatr Surg. 1999 Jun; 34(6):975-6. View Abstract
  108. Snowboarding injuries in children and adolescents. Am J Emerg Med. 1999 May; 17(3):261-3. View Abstract
  109. Indomethacin-associated bowel perforations: a study of possible risk factors. J Pediatr Surg. 1999 Mar; 34(3):442-4. View Abstract
  110. Anastomosis between tissue-engineered intestine and native small bowel. Transplant Proc. 1999 Feb-Mar; 31(1-2):661-2. View Abstract
  111. Successful anastomosis between tissue-engineered intestine and native small bowel. Transplantation. 1999 Jan 27; 67(2):241-5. View Abstract
  112. Childhood sledding injuries. Am J Emerg Med. 1999 Jan; 17(1):32-4. View Abstract
  113. Studies of brush border enzymes, basement membrane components, and electrophysiology of tissue-engineered neointestine. J Pediatr Surg. 1998 Jul; 33(7):991-6; discussion 996-7. View Abstract
  114. Variation in the management of pediatric splenic injuries in New Hampshire. J Pediatr Surg. 1998 Jul; 33(7):1076-8; discussion 1079-80. View Abstract
  115. Teenage driving fatalities. J Pediatr Surg. 1998 Jul; 33(7):1084-8; discussion 1088-9. View Abstract
  116. Surgical aspects of an outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitis. Pediatr Surg Int. 1998 Jan; 13(1):2-5. View Abstract
  117. Furuncular cuterebrid myiasis. J Pediatr Surg. 1997 Oct; 32(10):1511-3. View Abstract
  118. Slipping rib syndrome in childhood. J Pediatr Surg. 1997 Jul; 32(7):1081-2. View Abstract
  119. Modifications of Bishop's method for pediatric gastrostomy closure. Am Surg. 1997 Jun; 63(6):559-60. View Abstract
  120. Skiing injuries in children and adolescents. J Trauma. 1996 Jun; 40(6):997-1001. View Abstract
  121. Perinatal intussusception in premature infants. J Pediatr Surg. 1996 May; 31(5):695-7. View Abstract
  122. An unusual cause of penetrating cardiac injury in a child. J Pediatr Surg. 1996 May; 31(5):707-8. View Abstract
  123. Spiral CT: use in the evaluation of chest masses in the critically ill neonate. Pediatr Radiol. 1996; 26(1):15-8. View Abstract
  124. Functional Viability of Chondrocytes Stored at 4 degrees C. Tissue Eng. 1996; 2(1):75-81. View Abstract
  125. At 18 weeks' gestation, a normal boy was found, through routine ultrasonography, to have an abdominal cystic mass. J Pediatr Surg. 1995 Nov; 30(11):1632-3. View Abstract
  126. The efficacy of periosteal cells compared to chondrocytes in the tissue engineered repair of bone defects. Tissue Eng. 1995; 1(3):301-8. View Abstract
  127. The proximal mesenteric flap: a method for closing large mesenteric defects in jejunal atresia. J Pediatr Surg. 1994 Dec; 29(12):1607-8. View Abstract
  128. Tissue-engineered growth of cartilage: the effect of varying the concentration of chondrocytes seeded onto synthetic polymer matrices. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1994 Feb; 23(1):49-53. View Abstract
  129. An absent right and persistent left superior vena cava in an infant requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. J Pediatr Surg. 1993 Dec; 28(12):1633-4. View Abstract
  130. Congenital duodenal obstruction: a 32-year review. J Pediatr Surg. 1993 Jan; 28(1):92-5. View Abstract
  131. Studies in rat liver perfusion for optimal harvest of hepatocytes. J Pediatr Surg. 1990 Jan; 25(1):140-4; discussion 144-5. View Abstract

Contact David P. Mooney