Neurological Surgeon
Dr. Peter Sylvester
Dr. Sylvester is a board-eligible neurosurgeon. He treats patients with spinal and cranial disease. He specializes in treating patients with degenerative spinal disease and brain tumors. He uses both traditional open and minimally invasive approaches depending on clinical factors and patient preference.
Dr. Sylvester began his education as an enlisted avionic technician in the US Navy. He completed a degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia, followed by a medical doctoral degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Sylvester completed residency in neurosurgery at Washington University in St. Louis. He has master's degrees in Clinical Investigation and Health Administration.
Treating Locations
I have privileges at the following hospitals:
- St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO
- Mercy South in South County, MO
- The Advanced Surgical Center of Sunset Hills
Scope of Practice
- General adult neurosurgery (e.g., stroke, hydrocephalus, nerve compression syndromes like trigeminal neuralgia, Chiari malformation)
- Benign and malignant brain tumors (biopsies, open surgery, endoscopic surgery, radiosurgery)
- Spine Surgery
- Approaches: open and minimally invasive decompression / instrumentation / fusion from skull to sacrum
- Disorders: degenerative disease, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, inflammatory disease, scoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, infections, congenital disorders, intradural and extradural spinal tumors, and others
- Procedures: spinal cord stimulators
Dr. Peter Sylvester's
Patient care philosophy
"My patient care philosophy has developed during training and has been colored by my experiences. Above all, patients must be treated with compassion and respect. My goal is to be their doctor, advocate, and educator - with an extra emphasis on education. I am determined to make sure everyone completely understands the plan at all stages of care, and that patients and their families share in decision making. My goal is to use my years of research experience and training in process improvement to optimize the patient experience."
