Dr Boris Ruggiero
Dr Boris Ruggiero provides advanced assessment and treatment for colorectal conditions, pelvic floor disorders and bowel health concerns. Specialist services are now available privately to Far North Queensland patients.
Accessible, personalised specialist care
HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL
Your privacy and dignity are prioritised at every stage. We provide a discreet, supportive environment where sensitive concerns can be discussed openly, respectfully and with complete confidentiality.
BULK-BILLED ASSESSMENTS
Eligible pelvic floor assessments and diagnostic studies are bulk-billed, supporting accessible specialist care and advanced investigations where appropriate.
ACCESSIBLE
Limited wait times for consultations and assessments help patients access specialist care and personalised support sooner.
Dr Boris Ruggiero
MD, MBBS, FRACS, CSSANZ prov, GESA
Dr Boris Ruggiero is a specialist general surgeon with a colorectal interest, bringing international training and extensive experience across Australia and overseas. Since moving to Australia in 2013, he has worked across leading tertiary hospitals in Melbourne and Perth, including Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Cabrini, Monash Medical Centre and Fiona Stanley Hospital.
In 2016, Dr Ruggiero became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and now practises across Cairns Public Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital, providing specialist colorectal and general surgical care to patients throughout Far North Queensland. His clinical interests include laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, benign general surgical conditions and endoscopic procedures.
Colorectal surgery
Pelvic floor and incontinence issues
Anorectal physiology
Anorectal manometry
Pudendal nerve assessment
Discreet care, specialist support
Do you experience incontinence, constipation, bowel concerns, childbirth-related trauma or other pelvic floor symptoms affecting your daily life? Sensitive conditions can be difficult to discuss, but specialist help is available. With support from in-house nurse Shona Lewis, Dr Ruggiero provides comprehensive assessment and ongoing care in a supportive and confidential environment. Treatment approaches are tailored to individual needs and may include non-surgical options where appropriate.
International training
Dr Ruggiero graduated from the Medical School of Milan, Italy in 2002 before completing much of his surgical training in the United Kingdom, where he developed a particular interest in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. He speaks English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Thai.
Far North Queensland
Internationally trained and extensively experienced, Dr Ruggiero provides advanced assessment and treatment options and consults and operates from Cairns Private Hospital and Ramsay Surgical Centre Cairns. Outside of work he is committed to his family, and has a passion for surfing, hiking, and soccer.
Specialist colorectal care
Dr Ruggiero has a special interest in colorectal pelvic floor disorders including faecal incontinence and defecatory dysfunction. His consulting rooms operate as a colorectal pelvic floor unit for both private and public patients, with extensive experience in anorectal physiology, anorectal manometry and pudendal nerve assessment. He also offers sacral nerve stimulator implants for faecal incontinence.
Specialist expertise
Every patient presents with a different combination of symptoms, circumstances and treatment needs. Dr Ruggiero combines specialist surgical expertise with advanced diagnostics and a personalised approach to help guide effective treatment decisions.
General surgery
Comprehensive specialist care for a broad range of general surgical conditions, supported by extensive experience across both public and private healthcare settings.
Colorectal surgery
Specialist expertise in colorectal surgery, including cancer, bowel conditions, minimally invasive procedures and the management of complex colorectal disorders.
Cancer surgery
Specialist expertise in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, providing evidence-based treatment and personalised surgical care tailored to individual patient needs.
Pelvic floor & continence care
Dedicated expertise in pelvic floor disorders, faecal incontinence and bowel dysfunction, supported by advanced diagnostic assessment and specialised treatment options.
Commonly asked questions
Many people delay seeking help because bowel and pelvic floor symptoms can feel uncomfortable to talk about. Open conversations can lead to effective treatment and better outcomes, because "poo doesn’t have to be taboo".
A referral from your GP or healthcare provider is generally required to access specialist services. Referrals help ensure your symptoms, medical history and previous investigations are considered before your appointment.
Consultations and assessments are fully bulk-billed. Please contact the clinic if you have questions about referrals, procedures or any associated hospital costs.
Faecal incontinence is the involuntary loss of bowel control and may range from occasional leakage to loss of full bowel control. Causes can include childbirth injury, muscle weakness, nerve damage and pelvic floor disorders. Many treatment options are available and surgery is not always required.
Chronic constipation can occur for many reasons, including dietary factors, medication use, slow bowel transit, pelvic floor dysfunction or structural changes affecting bowel function. Identifying the underlying cause is important, as treatment approaches vary between individuals.
Anorectal manometry is a diagnostic test used to assess the function and coordination of muscles and nerves involved in bowel control. It can assist in investigating symptoms such as constipation, faecal incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the muscles and supporting structures of the pelvis do not function normally. Symptoms can include constipation, difficulty emptying the bowel, incontinence and pelvic discomfort.
No. Many colorectal and pelvic floor conditions can be managed using non-surgical treatment options, including dietary modification, pelvic floor therapy, medications and other targeted treatments where appropriate.
Sacral nerve stimulation is a treatment that uses gentle electrical impulses to improve communication between nerves and muscles involved in bowel control. It may be considered for selected patients with faecal incontinence when other treatments have not been successful.
Research and surgical affiliations
Dr Ruggiero is an active member of leading surgical organisations including FRACS, GESA, CRSA and the Italian College of Surgeons, with ongoing contributions to research and published literature.
Ready to take the next step?
Many people delay seeking help because bowel and pelvic floor symptoms can feel uncomfortable to discuss. Early assessment can provide reassurance, answers and access to effective treatment options.
Contact us
Get in touch with Dr Ruggiero and the team for appointment enquiries, referrals and specialist support.