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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.

Prof Spiezia works for our private clinic in Naples, Clinica Ruesch. He is also the Head of the Endocrine Surgery Operative Unit at Ospedale del Mare Hospital, specializing in surgical procedures related to endocrine disorders, particularly thyroid and adrenal surgeries. He is also the Head of the Endocrine Surgery Regional Network, and consultant in the field of diagnostics and ultrasound-interventional therapy. 

Professor specializes in all endocrine pathologies with minimally invasive thyroid-saving interventions, on the parathyroids and lymph nodes, through video-assisted techniques, thermoablation with radio frequency for thyroid nodules, microwave thermoablation, and with laser.

He diagnoses the thyroid and lymph nodes by means of ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. Qualified as a robotic surgeon, coordinates training schools in endocrine ultrasound and has promoted various scientific meetings and training courses, emphasizing the care pathways for patients with thyroid pathologies. 

EDUCATION

Prof Stefano Spiezia holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Naples, graduating cum laude in 1981. He specialized in Emergency Surgery at the same university, obtaining his diploma in 1986. In 1993, he completed a six-month specialization course in Minimally Invasive Surgery, followed by a managerial course in 1996 focused on healthcare organization management. He received accreditation for ultrasound units in 1997 and achieved a II level University Master’s Degree in Endocrine Surgery from the Seconda Università degli studi di Naples in 2007. This extensive educational background underscores his expertise in surgical practice and healthcare management.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

Stefano Spiezia has held several significant roles both in Italy and internationally, including:

• Head of the Endocrine Surgery Operative Unit, Naples, Italy
• Adjunct Professor at the University of Turin, Italy (2011-2025)
• Professor at Second University of Naples for Endocrine surgery, and Interventional diagnostics of the neck (1998-2014)
• Coordinator of the Training School at the Italian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB).
• Director and founder of the "Save Your Thyroid" International School of SIUMB, operating in Naples, Italy, and Cairo, Egypt
• Consultant in the Visiting Professor program at the Saudi German Hospital in Cairo, Egypt.
• Speaker and Organizer at various international congresses, including the ACTA Congress in Taipei, and the American Thyroid Association Congress in Chicago 

RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS, MEMBERSHIP

Prof. Stefano Spiezia's research primarily focuses on endocrine disorders, particularly in the context of thyroid and adrenal surgeries: the development and application of minimally invasive surgical techniques, particularly for thyroid and adrenal surgeries, and is recognized as an expert in thermal ablation of the thyroid. 

In Clinical Trials, he is the Principal Investigator (PI) of the first in-human clinical trial (NP-TF-024) aimed at treating benign thyroid nodules, which highlights his commitment to advancing treatment options in endocrine surgery.

Stefano Spiezia is a member of several professional societies, including:

• Founder member of the EUROMIT in Minimally Invasive Thyroid Treatments
• American Thyroid Association: A leading organization focused on thyroid health and research.
• North American Society for Interventional Thyroidology: This society is dedicated to advancing the field of interventional thyroidology.
• Italian Society of Endocrine Surgery (SIUEC): He is a member and serves as a regional delegate in this society, which focuses on endocrine surgical practices in Italy.
• Italian Society of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (SIUMB): He is a member and currently serves as the General Secretary of this society, which promotes the use of ultrasound in medical practice

His  Editorial Roles:  Review Editor on the Editorial Board of Thyroid Endocrinology and a member of the Video Endocrinology editorial board in the ATA. 

Author of 7 books and 68 scientific publications.

His work has been cited 3,466 times across 2,256 documents, indicating a significant impact in his field.

Prof. Deraco has dedicated his career to helping patients with complex cancers, particularly those affecting the peritoneum, a membrane in the abdomen. He began his medical career in 1989 at the Surgery and Experimental Oncology Departments of the Fondazione IRCCS, National Cancer Institute in Milan, Italy. Over the years, he has played a key role in advancing treatments for peritoneal surface malignancies (PSM). For more than a decade, he was the lead physician for the Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Program. Since 2017, he has served as the director of the Peritoneal Surface Malignancies Unit, where he continues to focus on providing cutting-edge care for his patients.

Prof. Deraco’s expertise is in specialized cancer treatments like Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS), Hyperthermic Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), and Pressurized Intra-Peritoneal Aerosolized Chemotherapy (PIPAC). These techniques aim to remove cancer and deliver heated chemotherapy directly to the abdomen, giving patients with PSM new hope. He has successfully treated over 1,200 patients using these advanced methods.

In addition to his clinical work, Prof. Deraco is a professor at Milan University, where he teaches future surgeons about peritoneal surface malignancies. His teaching extends internationally, as he has mentored over 30 postdoctoral fellows from prestigious institutions worldwide.

Prof. Deraco’s educational background is extensive. He earned his medical degree from the University of Messina in 1987 with top honors, followed by a specialization in general surgery five years later. His training continued in Paris, where he specialized in oncology at the prestigious Paris Dauphine University. He further honed his skills through fellowships in world-renowned institutions such as the Gustave Roussy Institute in France, the Royal Marsden Hospital in the UK, and the Washington Cancer Institute in the USA.

Throughout his career, Prof. Deraco has remained actively involved in research and professional organizations. He has published over 250 scientific articles and 25 book chapters, contributing to the advancement of cancer treatment globally. He serves on the board of multiple scientific societies dedicated to cancer research, including the Peritoneal Surface Oncology International Group (PSOGI) and the Italian Society for Loco-Regional Cancer Therapy (SITILO).

Prof. Dr. Luigi Masoni is a general surgeon with 35 years of experience. He specializes in oncology and general surgery. Dr. Masoni is known for his skill in minimally invasive colorectal, proctological, and pelvic floor surgeries. He developed a new bilio-intestinal bypass technique. He also received recognition for performing a total proctocolectomy using a three-trocar method.

Dr. Masoni is active in research and teaching. He served on the Didactic and Scientific Council at the University of Rome 'La Sapienza'. He completed specializations at both 'La Sapienza' and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. This has strengthened his international profile.

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.

Dr. Domenico Riitano, specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, graduated in Medicine and Surgery in 1989 and specialized in Orthopedics and Traumatology in 1994 at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. In 2007 he completed his training with a further specialization in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery at the University of Messina.

He perfected his technique in Brazil at various specialized hospitals and clinics, including the Fluminense Clinic of Plastic Surgery “Niteroi” in Rio De Janeiro.

The prof. Giuseppe Speziale holds the positions of the National Coordinator of Cardiac Surgery of GVM Care & Research, the Director of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Anthea Hospital and Città di Lecce Hospital, and Director of the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the Santa Maria Hospital. He works at the Cardiological Clinical Institute (ICC) and San Carlo di Nancy Hospital in Rome. Since 2011 he has also held the position of Vice President of GVM Care & Research. In 2012 he occupied the charge of President of Confindustria Puglia, Health Section, and since 2018 he is Vice President of Aiop Puglia (Italian association of private hospitals). The prof. Speziale is a cardiac surgeon specializing in the minimally invasive surgical treatment of valve diseases, expert in minimally invasive repair of the mitral valve, in On and Off Pump myocardial revascularization, in thoracic aortic surgery. He is Co - Founder and President of the Scientific Committee of Mitral Academy, an independent association born from the passion for mitral surgery and the desire to pursue and share excellence in restorative surgery, with particular attention to minimally invasive techniques and the evaluation of potential therapeutic treatments deriving from the use of new technologies. Until 2016 he was elected Director of the Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery. He is part of the following associations: AATS (American Association for Thoracic Surgery), Italian Society of Cardiology Accredited Hospital, SICOA (active member), ISMICS (International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery). Since 2004 he has held the position of Scientific Director of the Italian Cardiopathic Association onlus.

In the field of scientific research, he focuses on new approaches, applicable in the field of minimally invasive and non-invasive mitral, aortic, cardiac arrhythmias and tricuspid surgery. He was the coordinator and researcher of the various projects of the National Research Council on Myocardial Infarction, on the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, on new technologies for carrying out coronary, cardiopulmonary and normothermic bypass. He was an adjunct professor at the Sapienza University of Rome where he held the Chair of Cardiology II, and at the University of Ferrara, where he teaches Cardiac Surgery. He has presented numerous scientific papers at national and international congresses of cardiology and cardiac surgery.

Bibliography: He is co-author of 6 books known nationally and internationally. The most recent one is Advances in Treatments for Aortic Valve and Root Diseases, publisher Springer International Publishing, 2018.

He is Reviewer and author of over 90 publications of multiple journals, such as Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, Heart & Lung: The Journal of Cardiopulmonary and Acute Care, European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Journal on Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery etc.

Awards: “Top Doctors Awards”, 2021

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.

Having graduated in Medicine and Surgery at a very young age, Prof. Egle Muti then specialized in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Clinical Oncology and Clinical Psychotherapy.

Invited as a speaker at numerous conferences around the world, she is a professor of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at the San Luigi Gonzaga Medical University based in Orbassano.

Her scientific production has focused above all on breast surgery, particularly on post-mastectomy breast reconstruction and the treatment of tuberous breasts, and on nose surgery.

She is part of the FONCAM (National Operational Forces Group on Breast Cancer) and is a member of the study group for General Aesthetic Surgery and Breast Surgery of SICPRE.

For several years she was a teacher of the Facial Anatomical Dissection course at the Free University of Brussels.

Prof. Filippini began his career in 1980 and has been teaching at the University of Chieti since the 1990s in the fields of General Surgery, Microsurgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Orthopedics, and Gynecology. His primary focus is oncological surgery, particularly specializing in "The surgical treatment of locally advanced tumors and multi-organ resections." He has enriched his expertise by visiting prominent reference centers in the United States, including the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York City. There, he delved into minimally invasive, laparoscopic, and microsurgical techniques under the guidance of esteemed mentors such as John Daly, Michele Gagner, and Murray Brennan. Additionally, in 2005, he further expanded his skills at the City of Hope Oncology Center in Los Angeles, focusing on robotic surgery in oncology.

In 1980, Prof. Filippini graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the G. D'Annunzio University of Chieti in Italy with honors, presenting an experimental thesis on lympho-venous anastomosis using microsurgical techniques. He completed his specialization in general surgery at the University of Pisa with distinction after five years. In 1990, he obtained another specialization in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from the University of Padua in Italy, where he maintained a stellar academic record.

Prof. Filippini has presented at numerous national and international conferences and authored over 100 scientific publications. Additionally, he has co-authored two monographs. 

Prof. Savini works at the Cardiac Surgery Department at the Maria Cecilia Hospital, as one of the main specialists, with an international background. He worked for the best European institutions for cardiology as Staff Surgeon, such as the Civil Hospital in Guadalajara, Mexico; at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain and at the St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, Holland; at the San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy and at the OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium.

Prof. Savini specializes in Mitral restorative surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Percutaneous aortic valve, Thoracic Aortic Surgery, Atrial Fibrillation Surgery, Cardiac Transplant and Decompensation Surgery, and extracorporeal circulation and myocardial protection.

In 1994 Prof. Savini graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Bologna with full marks, where he later specialized in Cardiac Surgery with a thesis in Myocardial protection. In 2017 he completed a PhD research in the field of Surgical Treatment of Aortic Valve Stenosis – Role of new technologies. 

He works as Associate Professor at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna

His scientific interest is focused on Mitral restorative surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Percutaneous aortic valve, Disompensation Surgery and Extracorporeal circulation and myocardial protection. 

Member of scientific societies:

• Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery (SICCH)
• Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery (SICCH)
• European Association for CardioThoracic Surgery (EACTS)
• International Society of Minimal Invasive Cardiac Surgery (ISMICS)

Prof. Savini is author and co-author of several publications in the field of coronary artery and thoracic aortic diseases, aortic valve repair treatment and replacement, all available on the Website of the National Library of Medicine

The Director of Doctor’s Equipe Clinic. The inventor of the Microfat system. Maxillofacial Surgery and Aesthetic Cosmetic Correction specialist.

Dr. Vincenzo De Santis is the Director of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Complex Operational Unit at Mater Olbia Hospital. He earned his medical degree and a PhD in experimental methodologies and technological applications in Angiology, Vascular Surgery, and Orthopedics from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome.

Dr. De Santis focuses on hip and knee prosthetic surgery, sports traumatology, and arthroscopic knee surgery. He is also skilled in computer-assisted and robotic surgery. He has performed over 5,500 surgical procedures. In more than 2,500 of these, he served as the lead surgeon. This experience shows his strong expertise in both elective orthopedic and trauma surgery.

Since 2009, Dr. De Santis has been involved in academic teaching. He has contributed to orthopedic education at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.

Dr. Giovanni Sabatino is the Director of the Neurosurgery Unit at Mater Olbia Hospital. He also serves as an Assistant Professor at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome. He holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery and a specialist certificate in Neurosurgery.

Dr. Sabatino treats neuro-oncological, vascular, and spinal conditions. He focuses on minimally invasive surgery and uses advanced tools such as intraoperative CT, ultrasound, neuronavigation, and neurophysiological monitoring.

He has performed over 4,000 surgical procedures. In more than 2,000 of these, he was the lead surgeon. He has achieved excellent results in both planned and emergency neurosurgical cases.

Dr. Giorgia Garganese is the Director of the Gynecology and Breast Care Center at Mater Olbia Hospital. She also leads the hospital’s Women’s Care Center. She specializes in minimally invasive and guided surgery for breast and gynecologic cancers. Her main focus is on oncoplastic techniques and vulvar cancers. Dr. Garganese has performed more than 2,000 surgical procedures.

She is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Catholic University in Rome. She is also a faculty member at the Royal College of Surgeons in England. Dr. Garganese coordinates research projects on new cancer treatments, prognostic markers, therapeutic targets, and advanced ultrasound imaging for women’s cancers.

Dr. Milutin Bulajic is a leading gastroenterologist and clinical researcher. He specializes in therapeutic and interventional endoscopy, colorectal diseases, chronic pancreatitis, and gastrointestinal oncology. He is known for his work in endoscopic bariatric procedures and advanced therapeutic endoscopy. His main interests include colorectal cancer screening and regenerative medicine for gastrointestinal diseases.

Dr. Bulajic is currently the Director of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy. He has held several leadership positions. He was Head of GI Endoscopy at University Clinic Belgrade from 2007 to 2012. He also served as Assistant Medical Director at Academic Hospital Center Udine from 2013 to 2019. From 2009 to 2017, he was Associate Professor of Gastroenterology at the Medical Faculty of Belgrade.

Dr. Piero Giustacchini is the Director of the Endocrine and Bariatric Surgery Unit at Mater Olbia Hospital. He also leads the Bariatric Center at the same hospital.

He earned his Degree in Medicine and Surgery from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome. He also holds a Specialist Certificate in General Surgery from the same university.

Dr. Giustacchini focuses on laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. He treats morbid obesity and endocrine diseases, such as thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and neuroendocrine tumors.

He has performed over 4,500 surgical procedures. He was the lead surgeon in more than 1,500 of these cases. Dr. Giustacchini has also taught at top Italian medical institutions and national surgical societies.