Treating colon, rectal and anal diseases is a delicate matter, requiring the highly specialized skills of a colorectal surgeon coupled with the resources of an academic medical practice.
Our SLUCare colorectal surgeons are experienced in the treatment of complex cancers, benign anorectal disease, rectal prolapse, complex diverticular disease and more. Our team uses the latest techniques, including transanal, minimally invasive and robotic surgery. We offer sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence and are the only team in St. Louis to offer high-resolution anoscopy.
As part of an academic medical practice, we coordinate patient care with other SLUCare specialists to comprehensively address your medical needs and optimize treatment for the best possible outcome. In some cases, surgery is not necessarily the answer, and we may pursue a more conservative approach. Some conditions may even be treated with a same-day, in-office procedure.
At SLUCare, you can trust our team to present you with the facts about your condition, along with our best recommendation for treatment.
Conditions We Treat:
- Colon cancer
- Anal cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- Complex diverticular disease
- Benign anorectal disease
- Pelvic floor disorder
- Rectal prolapse
- Presacral tumors
In-Office Relief for Some Conditions
Not all conditions require treatment in the operating room. Painful external lumps in the rectal area can oftentimes be treated in a single office visit.
External hemorrhoids with blood clots inside, known as thrombosed hemorrhoids, are a common source of pain and tenderness. Less commonly, rectal abscess — an infection of the rectum or anus — may be the source of pain. Both conditions can be evaluated and potentially treated on your initial visit through an in-office procedure using a local anesthetic. Most patients experience pain relief almost immediately. Some even return to work or school the same day.
SLUCare colorectal surgeon Dr. Ralph Silverman offers this same-day care for patients exclusively at the Fenton location on the campus of SSM Health St. Clare Hospital.
Support Following Surgery
If your condition does require surgery, you’ll follow up with your SLUCare surgeon afterward to monitor your healing progress. If needed, you may also see nurses who specialize in wound/ostomy care and stoma education. You’ll learn how to live with and how to care for a stoma, as well as how to identify and manage complications. You will also have the option of participating in one of our stoma support groups, where you can learn from experts in stoma care and hear from others living with the condition.
SLUCare Colorectal Surgeons
Dr. Grace Montenegro
Dr. Ralph Silverman
Practice Locations
Center for Specialized Medicine
1225 South Grand, Second Floor
St. Louis, MO 63104
314-977-4440
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St. Francis Building at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton
1011 Bowles Ave., Ste 225
Fenton, MO 63026
314-849-1811
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