Medical College of Wisconsin
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Kirk A. Ludwig, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Chief, Professor

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Location

  • Cancer Center - Froedtert Hospital
  • 8800 West Doyne Ave.
  • Milwaukee, WI 53226

Specialties

  • Colorectal Surgery

Cancer Center - Froedtert Hospital

Colorectal Surgery

Overview

Diseases and Conditions

  • Anal Cancer
  • Anal Fissure
  • Benign and Malignant Diseases of the Small Intestines, Colon, Rectum and Anus
  • Colon Cancer
  • Diverticular Disease
  • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
  • Fecal Incontinence
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer Syndrome
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Rectal Cancer
  • Rectal Prolapse

Treatments and Services

  • Anorectal Abscess and Fistula Surgery
  • Complex Pelvic Surgery
  • Ileal Pouch (J-pouch) Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Treatment for Colorectal Disease
  • Pre-Sacral or Retro-Rectal Tumors Surgery
  • Rectal and Anal Ultrasound
  • Recto-Vaginal Fistula Repair
  • Restorative Proctocolectomy
  • Small Intestinal Tumor Surgery
  • Sphincter-sparing Techniques for Rectal Cancer
  • Surgical Treatment for Constipation
  • Trans-Anal Excision of Rectal Polyps
  • Anorectal Physiology Laboratory Testing
  • Virtual Visit

Patients Ages Seen

  • Infant
  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Senior

Languages

  • English

Hospital Affiliations

  • Froedtert Hospital – Milwaukee

Board Certifications

  • Surgery
  • Colon and Rectal Surgery

Clinic Locations

Cancer Center - Froedtert Hospital

Center For Advanced Care - Froedtert Hospital
map of clinics' locations

Biography

Dr. Ludwig is a member of the Colorectal Surgery team. This team is comprised of surgeons, nurses and support staff who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. They work closely with colleagues in Surgical Oncology, Gastroenterology, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Oncology to ensure that patients get the very finest medical and surgical care for the full range of benign and malignant colorectal disorders.


The Colorectal Surgery team is committed to providing outstanding and compassionate care to patients with colorectal diseases. The team believes that this type of care comes from the intense dedication and specialization of the staff to specific colorectal disease processes and that coordinating efforts with their medical and surgical colleagues ensures patients get the best multidisciplinary care available.

Dr. Ludwig and team are active in research and widely cited in academic publications regarding colorectal cancer and benign colorectal conditions. 

1.    Peterson KJ, Simpson MT, Drezdzon MK, Szabo A, Ausman RA, Nencka AS, Knechtges PM, Peterson CY, Ludwig KA, Ridolfi TJ. Predicting Neoadjuvant Treatment Response in Rectal Cancer Using Machine Learning: Evaluation of MRI-Based Radiomic and Clinical Models. J Gastrointest Surg. 2023 Jan;27(1):122-130.
2.    Peterson KJ, Blank JJ, Deshpande RR, Liu Y, Peterson CY, Ludwig KA, Ridolfi TJ. A Cautionary Note Regarding Obesity and Young Adult Rectal Cancer. J Gastrointest Surg. 2022 Apr;26(4):927-928.
3.    Hu KY, Wu R, Szabo A, Ridolfi TJ, Ludwig KA, Peterson CY. Laparoscopic Versus Robotic Proctectomy Outcomes: An ACS-NSQIP Analysis. J Surg Res. 2020 Nov;255:495-501
4.    Hu KY, Simpson MT, Blank JJ, Szabo A, Eastwood D, Ludwig KA, Peterson CY, Ridolfi TJ. Use of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer. J Surg Res. 2019 Nov;243:447-452
5.    Ridolfi T.J., Berger N, Ludwig KA. Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: Current Management and Future Directions. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016 Sep;29(3):239-45. PMCID: PMC4991969
6.    Peterson CY, Blank J, Ludwig K. Colorectal Cancer in Elderly Patients: Considerations in Treatment and Management Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery: Third Edition: With 261 Figures and 155 Tables. 1 January 2020:903-929
7.    Staiger RD, Rössler F, Kim MJ, Brown C, Trenti L, Sasaki T, Uluk D, Campana JP, Giacca M, Schiltz B, Bahadoer RR, Lee KY, Kupper BEC, Hu KY, Corcione F, Paredes SR, Spampati S, Ukegjini K, Jedrzejczak B, Langer D, Stakelum A, Park JW, Phang PT, Biondo S, Ito M, Aigner F, Vaccaro CA, Panis Y, Kartheuser A, Peeters KCMJ, Tan KK, Aguiar S, Ludwig K, Bracale U, Young CJ, Dziki A, Ryska M, Winter DC, Jenkins JT, Kennedy RH, Clavien PA, Puhan MA, Turina M. Benchmarks in colorectal surgery: multinational study to define quality thresholds in high and low anterior resection. Br J Surg. 2022 Nov 22;109(12):1274-1281.
8.    Kosinski L, Ludwig K, Habr-Gama A, Perez R. Shifting Concepts in Rectal Cancer Management: A Review of Primary Rectal Cancer Treatment Strategies. CA Cancer J Clin 2012 May-Jun;62(3):173-202.
 

Education and Training

Doctor of Medicine - University of Cincinnati Medical Center - Cincinnati, OH (1988)
Internship in Surgery - Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI (1988-1989)
Residency in General Surgery - Medical College of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, WI (1989-1994)
Fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery - Cleveland Clinic - Cleveland, OH (1994-1996)

Publications

Publications of Kirk A. Ludwig MD from the Faculty Collaboration Database