Prof. Spinelli is the Director of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Director of the General Surgery Residency Program, Full Professor of Surgery and Lead of the Surgical Innovation Committee at Humanitas University, Rozzano Milano, Italy.
He trained for two years (2003-2005) at the University of Berlin – Charitè, and later he gained his PhD on enhanced recovery protocols in colorectal surgery.
He is dedicated to the development of innovative techniques in minimally invasive colorectal surgery.
Prof. Spinelli is Associate Editor at Diseases of the Colon and Rectum, at Journal of Anus, Rectum & Colon and was Associate Editor at Colorectal Disease (2014 – 2023). He is Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Crohn’s Colitis and of Coloproctology.
He authored/co-authored more than 390 Pubmed-indexed publications (IF > 3000, H Index Scopus 59, H Index Google Scholar 70).
Prof. Spinelli is President Elect of the European Society of ColoProctology (ESCP) and is Fellow of European Surgical Association (F-ESA), Fellow of the European Board of Surgery (FEBS), Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery (FASCRS) and Member of the International Organization for the study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD).
In 2016 he was awarded with the Honorary Fellowship of the Czech Society of Surgery and is Honorary Member of the Brazilian College of Digestive Surgery (CBCD) since 2017.
Selected publications from PubMed
Safety and Performance of the Colovac Anastomosis Protection Device. A Pooled Analysis of Prospective Studies Compared With Diverting Loop Ileostomy (SAFE-2025).
Sylla P, Lam K, Komen N, Tuech JJ, Spinelli A, Martz J, Rhee R, Marcet J, Cadière GB, Rouanet P, Karachun A, Denost Q, Sametdinov N, D'Hoore A, Lee S, Lefèvre JH
Ann Surg. 2026 Sep 2 doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000007171.
Surgical and clinical predictors of successful Hartmann reversal procedure after perforated diverticulitis.
Sassun R, Vignati B, Montroni I, Hawkins AT, Magistro C, Crippa J, Ferrari GC, Achilli P, Cocozza E, Costanzi A, Bertoglio CL, Roufael F, Maggioni D, Foppa C, Borroni G, Spinelli A, Mari G, AIMS Academy Clinical Research Network
Surg Endosc. 2026 Aug;40(8):6622-6628 doi: 10.1007/s00464-026-12937-9.
Subclinical anxiety and depression and postoperative complications after major colorectal surgery: A 2-center study.
Kraft M, Maroli A, Pera M, García-Möller E, Pellino G, Spinelli A, Espín-Basany E
Surgery. 2026 Aug;196:110317 doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2026.110317.
Intestinal ultrasound to detect postoperative recurrence in patients with Crohn's disease: an international, multidisciplinary, RAND/UCLA appropriateness method study.
Ma C, Albashir S, Allocca M, de Buck van Overstraeten A, Kotze PG, Lu C, Maaser C, Maconi G, Panaccione R, Regueiro M, Rimola J, Spinelli A, Taylor SA, Wilkens R, Bemelman W, Cleveland NK, Gecse KB, Archer S, Kiarasi S, Cornfield LJ, Novak KL
Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2026 Jul;11(7):602-615 doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(26)00082-8.
Safety and effectiveness of the Colovac anastomosis protection device compared with diverting ileostomy after low anterior resection: protocol for an international, multicentre, prospective, non-randomised comparative study (SAFE-3).
Pastier C, Sylla P, Lee SW, Spinelli A, Komen N, Marks J, Martz J, Rhee R, Maykel J, Marcet J, Denost Q, Zaghiyan K, Davids JS, Paluvoi N, Hiller D, McLemore EC, Maggiori L, D'hoore A, Jafari MD, Poylin V, Buzas CJ, Tuech JJ, Lefèvre JH
BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2026 Jun 12;13(1) doi: 10.1136/bmjgast-2025-002235.
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Anastomotic leak remains one of the most feared complications following bowel anastomosis. Although anastomotic techniques have changed from suturing to stapling, and both staplers and stapling techniques have evolved and improved, leak rates for pelvic anastomoses remain high. Although compression anastomosis has been intermittently used for almost 100 years, it was only about 10 years ago that its superiority over circular stapled anastomoses was demonstrated. This program will show the newest method of compression anastomosis and offer compelling evidence for its value.
With CarpoNovum
Published
Jul 2024
The treatment of perianal Crohn’s disease is crucial due to its impact on patients' well-being.
With Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine
Published
Jul 2024
Efforts in reducing Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rates among colorectal patients are implemented in every perioperative aspect: showering before an operation, receiving a correct mechanical and oral antibiotic preparation, utilizing the proper skin disinfectant, and others. Surgeons and the surgical technique they choose play a key role. Laparoscopic surgery is well known to reduce the SSI rate by minimizing skin incisions and allowing for a closed abdomen surgery. Nevertheless, specimen extraction still represents a potential for SSI at the mini- laparotomy site. Proper wall protection is mandatory especially when dealing with malignant disease. One viable option for further reducing the risk of SSI is to perform a Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction (NOSE). This can be carried out during a colonic surgery (e.g. left hemicolectomy, sigmoidectomy, total colectomy or high anterior rectal resection), by performing an intra-abdominal colonic resection and utilizing for example the rectal stump (t-NOSE) as the extraction site. We here show a laparoscopic intracorporeal double purse stringed anastomosis to restore intestinal continuity. We will discuss the pros and potential cons of this technique in the fight against SSI in colorectal surgery.
With Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Published
Mar 2022
In this lecture, Professor Antonino Spinelli talks about the use of fluorescence imaging to confirm vascularisation of the ileal pouch. Fluorescence imaging has been used widely in the recent years as a tool to evaluate perfusion in colorectal surgery. It appears to be of even more importance in pouch construction, but it needs refining and decisions must be guided by clinical experience.
Published
Sep 2019
In this EHTG/ESCP lecture Professor Antonio Spinelli from Humanitas Research Hospital in Milano explains the pros and cons of performing a "near to TME" dissection when performing a pouch for FAP. Despite the fact TME dissection has been considered as the gold standard in these cases, there are some advantages when dissection is performed close to the rectal wall. Some studies indicate that "near to TME " dissection could be related to a lower pelvic complication rate as well as better functional outcome due to autonomic nerve preservation. Moreover, possible pitfalls and complications regarding anatomical issues and oncological outcome are also discussed.
Published
Aug 2019
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