Page 2 - Best Doctors in Italy — Get an Online Consultation

The doctor is an Italian expert in breast cancer treatment with over 20 years of practice, specializing in breast and lymph node preservation. As one of the most experienced professionals at the European Institute of Oncology, the doctor heads the Breast Unit at San Raffaele Hospital. The doctor has performed over 5,000 breast cancer surgeries and is a leader in preventive procedures for women with high genetic risks of breast cancer.

Since 2016, the doctor has been the Head of the Research Unit in the Breast Cancer Surgery Department at San Raffaele Hospital and leads the SOUND study at the European Institute of Oncology. The doctor has authored over 100 papers on breast tumor treatment and focuses on breast cancer management in young women and pregnant patients.

Cardiology

The doctor is the Head of the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at San Raffaele Research Hospital and the Blood Transfusion Centre. The doctor is a Principal Investigator in Cell and Gene Therapy clinical trials for hematological cancers, immune-deficiencies, and neuromuscular disorders.

Since 2001, the doctor has served as a medical director at the Hematology Division of the Bone Marrow Transplantation and Transfusion Medicine in IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital. The doctor has published over 180 papers and holds a Merit Recognition Award from the University of Ferrara.

The doctor is a member of numerous prestigious organizations, including the European Hematology Association and the International Network for Cancer Research Trial.

The doctor is the Head of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department at San Raffaele Research Hospital, leading a prominent high-volume center for esophageal surgery in Italy. The department specializes in open and minimally invasive surgeries of the digestive tract, focusing on foregut and large bowel diseases, treating approximately 2,000 surgical cases annually.

With a career spanning several decades, the doctor has held significant roles, including founding and directing the University Center for Research and Care of Esophagogastric Diseases. The doctor has authored over 300 publications and holds memberships in numerous prestigious surgical societies.

The doctor has a distinguished career in vascular surgery, transitioning from cardiac surgery to focus on thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic diseases and vascular graft infections. Notable contributions include the 'frozen elephant trunk' technique and advancements in branched and fenestrated thoracoabdominal aortic stent grafts. The doctor is actively involved in research and holds memberships in prestigious vascular surgery societies. Educational background includes a degree from Milan University and specializations in general, vascular, and cardiac surgery.

The doctor specializes in psychotherapy with a focus on opioid addiction treatment. A key contributor to a prospective study on levomethadone, the doctor has played a significant role in advancing the understanding of its safety and effectiveness for opioid maintenance treatment. The study, known as LEVOPROACT, involved collaboration with multiple centers across Italy and included contributions to study design, data collection, and manuscript preparation. Preliminary findings highlighted a favorable risk/benefit ratio for levomethadone, particularly in its impact on the QT interval and its effectiveness in reducing cravings and opioid use.

Dr. Borghesi leads the Neurosurgery Unit at Maria Cecilia Hospital, where his team performs around 1,000 advanced neurosurgical procedures annually. His approach combines years of experience with the latest technological innovations to ensure patients receive the most effective treatments available. Specializing in spinal surgeries (including cervical, dorsal, and lumbar procedures), Dr. Borghesi utilizes both posterior and anterior techniques to help patients regain mobility and relieve pain. Throughout his career, he has successfully performed over 4,500 complex surgeries, offering life-changing solutions for patients with challenging cranial and spinal conditions.

For brain tumor removal, he and his team employ advanced video-micro-surgical techniques, including the use of a digital microscope with 4K 3D imaging, which allows for enhanced precision and minimal invasiveness. Patients suffering from conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, facial spasms, and tumors of the posterior cranial fossa can benefit from Dr. Borghesi’s expertise in minimally invasive surgery, having treated over 400 cases with innovative techniques.

• Spinal Surgery: Expert in performing complex spinal surgeries (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) using the latest methods to treat conditions such as herniated discs, spinal degeneration, and more.
• Brain Tumor Removal: Specializes in minimally invasive brain surgery for the removal of extensive tumors using cutting-edge 3D orbital camera technology.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia: Successfully treated over 400 cases of trigeminal neuralgia and other cranial nerve disorders with minimally invasive techniques, providing relief for patients with less recovery time.
• Colloid Cyst Removal: The doctor specializes in complex surgeries to remove this benign but very rare tumor.

Dr. Borghesi has trained in various top-tier international hospitals, learning from the best to provide high-quality care to his patients:

• Spinal Unit at Schulthess Klinik in Zurich
• École de Chirurgie in Paris, specializing in skull base and spinal surgeries
• Brain Institute at the University of Florida, specializing in microsurgical brain procedures
• Microsurgical Laboratory at the University of Arkansas, with a focus on lumbar degenerative disorders

He is the author of numerous scientific publications in national and international journals and volumes. In 1997 he was consultant of the "Medical Review" Journal.

Member of SICOB - Italian Society of Obesity Surgery and ACOI - Association of Italian Hospital Surgeons                                               

Dr Braun is a board-certified general surgeon with over 25 years of experience specializing in gastrointestinal surgery, particularly in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) through Fundoplication surgery. He has performed over 500 successful Nissen and Toupet Fundoplication procedures, with a focus on minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. His expertise extends to diagnosing complex cases of GERD and offering comprehensive treatment plans to improve patient outcomes.

He has carried out his main training experiences in various international institutions and specialization courses in general and digestive system surgery, including a two-year training internship at Johns Hopkins University, Division of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery and numerous courses in Madrid, with Prof. E. Moreno Gonzales (Curso Internacional de Actualizaciòn en chirurgia General y del Aparato Digestivo) or in New Orleans (Medical Education at the 90th Annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons).

Dr. Braun has extensive expertise in the field of digestive surgery. He has focused on implementing advanced protocols and optimizing surgical techniques, while maintaining high standards of safety and patient care. He has collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to provide an integrated and personalized approach in the management of obese or digestive disorder patients, improving quality of life and reducing post-operative complications.

Dr. Nicola Vione specializes in Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Pathology.

He began his training at the University of Turin where, in 1996 he obtained a degree in Medicine and Surgery, and in 1997 the qualification to practice. Subsequently, in 2001 he obtained the specialist diploma in Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Pathology. 

Over the years of his career he has attended various prestigious hospitals, perfecting himself in Functional and Aesthetic Surgery of the nose, performing thousands of operations and obtaining excellent results. He regularly attends specialization courses and national and international congresses, learning the most avant-garde techniques of the moment such as preservation rhinoplasty which allows primary rhinoplasty operations to be performed, guaranteeing respect for the anatomy of the nose and obtaining extremely natural and a shorter post-operative period.

Since 2015, he has been collaborating with the "Micheli-Pellegrini" Study Center, one of the most prestigious schools in Italy of rhino-cervical-facial reconstructive surgery, as a member of the scientific committee and as a Professor of Functional and Aesthetic Surgery of the Nose. He currently works at the San Luigi Gonzaga public hospital in Orbassano (Turin), as Medical Director of the Otolaryngology Operative Unit. He also works in some private clinics, such as Santa Caterina da Siena GVM and the Fornaca Clinic in Sessant.

Dr Vione is a member of numerous national scientific societies such as AICEFF (Italian Association of Aesthetic and Functional Surgery of the Face), AOOI (Association of Italian Hospital Otorhinolaryngologists), AIOCC (Italian Association of Head and Neck Oncology) and SIOeChCF ( Italian Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery). Registered, since 1997, in the Provincial Order of Surgeons of Asti

Dr. Nicola Vione is an established professional in the field of Otolaryngology and particularly expert in Functional and Aesthetic Surgery of the nose.

Since January 1993, Dr. Totaro holds the role of the Coordinator of the MAP (Medically Assisted Procreation) Center and of the Obstetrics-Gynecological Ultrasound Center at the Ospedale Santa Maria at the Maternal and Child Department. Under his supervision the Center, one of the leading MAR centers in Italy, performs more than 1,000 procedures a year. Ospedale Santa Maria - is in first position, for number of cycles of IUI, intrauterine insemination (586) - level I technique, while for the number of oocyte thawing procedures - level II and III technique - the hospital of Santa Maria from Bari occupies the 4th place in the national ranking.

In 1986 Dr. Totaro graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Bari, Italy with full marks, where 4 years later he specialized in Gynecology and Obstetrics. He then completed his diploma with participation at numerous professional courses, such as "Biophysical and biochemical monitoring of the fetus" (one year course, 1991, Bari) and obtaining a diploma in Clinical Sexuology from the ELEUSIS – International Center for the study, research and therapy of female, male and couple sexual dysfunctions (two years course, 1996, Bari). 

In order to broaden his knowledge in the obstetrics-gynecological scientific field, Dr. Totaro participates, both as moderator and speaker and as organizer, in numerous conferences, symposiums, congresses and courses (over 40 national and international congresses) and is the author of more than 30 scientific publications. 

Dr. Totaro is an active member of the following organizations:

ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology)

SIRU (Italian Society of Human Reproduction)

SIGO (Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics)

AOGOI (Italian Association of Hospital Obstetricians and Gynecologists)

SIMOP (Italian Society of Private Hospital Doctors)

ESG (European Society of Gynecology).

Dr. Tommaso Lupattelli is a surgeon specialized in Interventional Radiology and Vascular Surgery, recognized as one of the leading experts in Italy in the execution of the embolization technique. Graduated with honors in 1999 from the University of Perugia, he subsequently obtained specializations in Radiology and Interventional Radiology, as well as in Vascular Surgery at the State University of Milan. He perfected his skills by working for two years in prestigious university hospitals in London, refining advanced surgical techniques.

Dr. Lupattelli was a professor in Radiology and Interventional Radiology at the University of Perugia and has held numerous courses, both in Italy and abroad, on the revascularization of the lower limb and the embolization treatment of fibroids.

The embolization of male varicocele is a minimally invasive procedure that Dr. Lupattelli performs with high competence. This procedure, performed as a day surgery, allows the patient to return home approximately one hour after treatment, with a rapid recovery and no scars. Compared to traditional surgery, embolization offers numerous advantages, including less invasiveness, no significant pain, and an extremely low recurrence rate.

He has performed approximately 3,000 embolization procedures (up to May 2021) demonstrating extensive experience in the field of endovascular procedures.

Dr. Lupattelli is the author of over 200 scientific publications and has participated as a speaker and moderator at numerous national and international conferences. In 2019, he was awarded the European Community Physician of the Year prize for the development and dissemination of the embolization technique and was interviewed by the prestigious Forbes magazine regarding the techniques he developed.

Education Dr. Castriota graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Milan. He continued his postgraduate training at the University of Bologna where he obtained two specializations: the first one in Cardiology in 1992 and then in Radiology. From 1995 to 1996 he spent a period as a Fellow in the "Arizona Heart Institute" under the supervision of Professor Diethrich.

Research Dr. Castriota is an active member of some scientific societies, such as SIRM (Italian Society of Medical Radiology), Fellow of the Scientific College of the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology (GISE), Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC), European Cardiovascular Interventional Society (EAPCI) and of ISES, International Society of Endovascular Specialist. He is the principal investigator of a recent Protected TAVR study, aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a particular device for brain protection during aortic valve replacement surgery using the TAVI endovascular method.

Publications He is a member of the International Editorial Board of Eurointervention, speaker and chairman for the execution of live cases in national and international conferences.

Author of about 150 full-length publications

Author of over 20 chapters in specialized volumes

Awards: NHMRC Career Development Fellowship, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, 2015.

Dr. Ayman is a Medical Doctor and Surgeon specializing in General and Bariatric Surgery, with extensive training and experience in minimally invasive surgery and obesity management.

Doctor earned his Master's Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Brescia in 2005. He then completed his specialization in General Surgery at the same university in 2016, with a thesis titled "Fast track in minimally invasive colon surgery. He has complete autonomy in the clinical management of complex patients and extensive experience in performing a variety of surgical procedures, including major surgeries. His expertise includes gastric and colorectal surgery, bariatric surgery, abdominal wall surgery, videolaparoscopic (VLC) and laparotomic (VLA) procedures, and proctology. He is particularly skilled in performing medium and major surgeries in emergency settings.

Currently, he practices at Maria Cecilia Hospital in Bologna, where he evaluates the degree of obesity and associated conditions. Based on these assessments, he determines the most suitable surgical intervention, such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and mini laparoscopic bypass.

He has advanced training in colorectal and abdominal wall surgery from top institutions in Italy and Belgium.

He is an active member of the Italian Society of Obesity Surgery and Metabolic Disorders (S.I.C.OB.) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), contributing to the advancement of bariatric surgery on an international level.

Dr. Ayman is distinguished by his dedication to patient care and his advanced skills in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery.

Dr. Lechanoine is a highly accomplished neurosurgeon with extensive international experience, currently serving as a senior consultant at Maria Cecilia Hospital in Italy. With over 2,500 surgeries performed, including 1,600 as the lead surgeon, Dr. Lechanoine has built a distinguished career specializing in complex brain and spine surgeries. His areas of expertise include brainstem conditions, intraventricular neuroendoscopy for hydrocephalus and tumors, transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas, and minimally invasive spine procedures such as UBE (Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy).

His medical journey has taken him across Europe and beyond, with positions at prestigious institutions such as CHU de Grenoble Alpes and CHRU de Tours in France, and Ospedale Santobono in Naples, Italy. In addition, his dedication to pediatric neurosurgery has led to international collaborations, including at the General Peltier Hospital in Djibouti and the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence.

Dr. Lechanoine’s education is equally impressive. He graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Caen, France, in 2012 and specialized in neurosurgery at the University of Tours under the guidance of renowned professors Stéphane Velut and Patrick François. His specialization focused on innovative endoscopic treatments for intracranial arachnoid cysts in children. Throughout his career, Dr. Lechanoine has pursued numerous advanced training courses, earning prestigious certifications, including the Diploma of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the European Diploma of Spine Surgery (Eurospine).

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Lechanoine has contributed significantly to the field of neurosurgery through research and education. He has authored numerous scientific publications in leading international journals, with a total impact factor of 71.46. He is also a dedicated educator, serving as a tutor at international workshops on brain and spine endoscopy, and he recently founded a UBE surgical training center at Maria Cecilia Hospital.

Dr. Fabio Meneghini is a renowned maxillofacial surgeon with over twenty years of experience in aesthetic, reconstructive, and functional rhinoplasty. His surgical philosophy is based on a personalized, conservative approach that respects anatomical structures, aiming to ensure patient happiness and satisfaction.

Education and Professional Career

Dr. Meneghini graduated in Medicine and Surgery and specialized in Maxillofacial Surgery with top marks and honors. He later earned a Master’s degree in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery at the University of Padua, presenting a thesis on open-approach rhinoplasty.
Currently, he serves as Co-Head of the Maxillofacial Surgery Unit at Villa Maria Cecilia Hospital in Cotignola (Ravenna) and is a lecturer at the University of Padua.

Specialization in Ultrasonic Rhinoplasty

Dr. Meneghini specializes in ultrasonic rhinoplasty, an innovative technique that uses ultrasound instruments to sculpt nasal bones without the need for rasps, chisels, or hammers. This method offers numerous advantages, including reduced intra- and post-operative bleeding, less swelling and bruising, and, in most cases, the elimination of nasal packing.

Membership in International Societies

Dr. Meneghini actively participates in national and international conferences held by scientific societies in the fields of maxillofacial surgery and aesthetic plastic surgery. He continuously updates his expertise by staying at the forefront of the latest innovations and techniques in the field.

Member of Rhinoplasty Society of Europe; the European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery

Professor Claudio Vicini brings over 40 years of expertise in Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. He is internationally recognized for his proficiency sleep surgery and  in robotic-assisted surgeries, particularly for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and head and neck cancers. As a leading expert in Eagle syndrome, Prof. Vicini has extensive experience in its diagnosis and treatment, especially through surgical styloidectomy, open or transoral. 

Following a distinguished clinical career at renowned national and international institutions, Prof. Vicini now serves as a consultant, surgeon, and medical coordinator at GVM Hospitals. He also leads the Kalypnos Project at Lucia Magnani Health Clinic, an innovative multidisciplinary program designed to diagnose and address insomnia, snoring, and sleep apnea comprehensively, including their association (COMISA).

EDUCATION

Prof. Claudio Vicini earned his medical degree from the University of Pisa, Italy, in 1978 as Student at   Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari – Collegio S.Anna. He went on to obtain three residencies and specializations, all with honors, solidifying his expertise in Otorhinolaryngology and related fields:

• Otolaryngology (1981, University of Pisa): His thesis focused on acute supraglottic laryngitis.
• Neurology (1985, University of Ferrara): He explored vestibular rehabilitation in his thesis.
• Audiology (1989, University of Florence): He conducted an experimental study on the neuropharmacological effects of diazepam on vestibular reflexes.
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• Prof. Vicini enhanced his expertise through training and research at Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Toronto. He engaged in advanced surgical dissection training and cutting-edge methodologies at renowned centers in Europe and the United States, such as the Anatomy Institute of the LHB in Brussels and the University of Pennsylvania (PENN).

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

• Prof. Claudio Vicini is a distinguished specialist in Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery with over 40 years of experience managing complex conditions. He has held leadership positions at prominent regional and national institutions, and as Director of the Department of Head & Neck Surgery for regional health authorities.
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• An internationally recognized authority in sleep disorder treatment, Prof. Vicini has coordinated national and international committees, co-authored foundational medical guidelines, and techniques such as Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE). 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

• National Scientific Qualification, 2012 and 2018: for the position of Associate Professor in Otorhinolaryngology and impact of his scientific work with high level of contribution to the field of Obstructive Sleep Apneas and Robotic Surgery.
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• Top Cited Paper Impact Factor Award, 2011, for the paper entitled: “Transoral Robotic Tongue Base Resection in Obstructive Sleep”, and “Apnoea-Hypopnoea Syndrome: a Preliminary Report”. 
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• Prof.  Vicini is an active member of several international societies, including:
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• Italian Association of Sleep Medicine (AIMS)
• Italian Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - A national society that promotes the interests and advancements in the field of otolaryngology in Italy