Best gastroenterologists in Italy: TOP 13 doctors

Professor Massimo Falconi is a gastrointestinal oncologist with over 30 years of experience specializing in pancreatic diseases. He practices at Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan and has led 3,600 surgeries, including distal, total, middle pancreatectomies , pancreatic resections, and enucleations. He is the Director of the Pancreatic Surgery and the Pancreas Translational and Clinical Unit at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele with international experience in Japan, Spain, Germany, and Sweden. Prof. Falconi has written over 330 articles and taken part in 350+ Italian and 220+ international conferences, and is a member of several organizations.

Prof. Alessio Michele Goffredo Aghemo is the Hepatology Unit Director in Humanitas research Hospital.

Medical areas of interest: 

• liver diseases
• viral hepatitis
• metabolic hepatitis
• liver cirrhosis

Previous experience: 

From 2007 to 2017 he was the 1st level Medical Director at the U.O of Gastroenterology of the IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan.

Research areas of interest: 

Clinical and research activity focused on natural history and treatment of viral hepatitis.

He is the author of 155 peer-reviewed publications (Impact Factor total 1151.3, H-Index 25 according to Scopus, H-Index 20 last 5 years Scopus, H-Index 30 according to Google Scholar) (updated September 2017).

From 2013 to 2016 he was a scientific member of the governing board of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).

Since 2016 he is a member of the scientific committee of the European Association of Gastroenterology (UEG).

He is a member of the AISF (Italian Association for the Study of the Liver) commission for antiviral drugs directed against HCV (2012-present). Since 2016 he has been the coordinator of the same. 

He was AIFA/EMEA expert for liver disease since 2008.

Member of the Executive Committee of the HCV Regional Network, determined by the Lombardy Region on 28 September 2015.

He participated as an expert in the drafting of the European Guidelines 2013-2014-2015-2016-2017 (EASL) and Italian (AISF) on the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C.

Teaching experience:

He is associated professor of Gastroenterology at Humanitas University since September 2017.

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. 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. 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).

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.

With his in-depth medical knowledge and passion for preventing premature aging, he now serves as a Medical Tutor at the Lucia Magnani Health Clinic, a center of excellence offering comprehensive check-ups and programs for healthy and long-lasting living.

Education and Specializations:

• Doctor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, 1980
• Specialization in Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, University of Ferrara, 1992
• Advanced Training in Diagnostic Ultrasound in Internal Medicine

Areas of Expertise:

• Prevention and management of gastrointestinal conditions: anemia, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, gallstones
• Performing advanced ultrasound diagnostics and evaluations as part of personalized check-up programs
• Promoting holistic wellness through an integrated approach to health and long-term prevention
• Professional Experience

Medical Director and Head of General Medicine and Ultrasound Services, with over 30 years of experience managing patients and supervising medical teams.

Speaker on national and local TV programs, sharing his medical expertise on gastroenterology and internal medicine.

At the Lucia Magnani Health Clinic, Dr. Nonni serves as a Medical Tutor, guiding patients through personalized prevention and health improvement programs. He collaborates with a multidisciplinary team to integrate traditional medical knowledge with innovative approaches in wellness and longevity.

Dr. Nonni firmly believes that prevention is the key to a healthy and long life. Through in-depth health assessments and tailored programs, he supports patients at the Lucia Magnani Health Clinic in achieving lasting wellness.