Research Vision:

My recent research interests have focused on disparities in pediatric trauma, including the evaluation of racial disparities in traumatic brain injury patients. This work has motivated an increased dedication to identifying disparities-based pediatric trauma quality metrics and testing their implementation in trauma programs.

Research Areas:

• Pediatric surgery outcomes

• Disparities in care

• Quality metrics

Research Publications:

1. LaPlant MB, Hess DJ. A review of racial/ethnic disparities in pediatric trauma care, treatment, and outcomes. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2019 Mar;86(3):540-550. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002160. PMID: 30531328.

2. Holl EM, Marek AP, Nygaard RM, Richardson CJ, Hess DJ. Use of Chest Computed Tomography for Blunt Pediatric Chest Trauma: Does It Change Clinical Course? Pediatr Emerg Care. 2020 Feb;36(2):81-86. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002040. PMID: 31904738.

3. Muegge J, de Warren T, Saltzman D, Hess D. Preoperative platelet transfusions: A retrospective review of pediatric patients with thrombocytopenia, 2011-2016. J Pediatr Surg. 2021 Sep;56(9):1657-1660. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.04.027. Epub 2021 May 2. PMID: 34074485.

4. Morrison ZD, LaPlant M, Hess D, Segura B, Saltzman D. A systematic review of management options in pediatric rectal prolapse. J Pediatr Surg. 2019 Sep;54(9):1782-1787. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.03.002. Epub 2019 Mar 7. PMID: 30905414.

5. LaPlant MB, Saltzman DA, Rosen JI, Acton RD, Segura BJ, Hess DJ. Standardized irrigation technique reduces intraabdominal abscess after appendectomy. J Pediatr Surg. 2019 Apr;54(4):728-732. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2018.06.017. Epub 2018 Jun 27. PMID: 30025605.