Leone Giordano

Professor Leone Giordano is Head of the Otorhinolaryngology Unit at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele. He is also Associate Professor at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan and Director of the School of Specialization in Otorhinolaryngology.

After graduating in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia in 1995 with a score of 110/110, he specialized with honors in Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Turin in 2000. Between 2011 and 2012 he obtained a second-level Master’s degree in Aesthetic Surgery at the University of Milan.

He obtained the National Scientific Qualification for the role of Full Professor in the Competition Sector 06/F3 – Otorhinolaryngology and Audiology.

From a clinical perspective, his main areas of interest and expertise include: acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the pharynx and larynx (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, adenoiditis, laryngitis); inflammatory diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses (rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal polyposis); congenital or post-traumatic conditions of the nasal septum and nasal pyramid causing respiratory obstruction; inflammatory diseases of the salivary glands (sialadenitis and possible calculous manifestations); tumors of the head and neck relevant to otorhinolaryngology (benign and malignant tumors of the larynx, salivary glands, thyroid, oral cavity, and pharynx).

His main surgical focus is major oncological surgery of the head and neck and reconstructive surgery using local, pedicled and revascularized flaps with microsurgical techniques. He is also involved in the reconstruction of nerve injuries. He has performed more than 6,000 otorhinolaryngological surgical procedures and numerous reconstructions with revascularized free flaps, performing the vascular microanastomoses as first surgeon.

Regarding his research activity, Professor Giordano has focused on several areas including: quality of life of patients undergoing major head and neck oncologic surgery and voice rehabilitation through prostheses following total laryngectomy. In head and neck surgery, he has dedicated particular attention to reconstructive aspects, promoting for example the supraclavicular flap, which was previously little known and rarely used in head and neck surgery, and introducing innovative techniques aimed at improving functional and aesthetic outcomes and reducing complications, such as the use of intraoperative angiography with indocyanine green to evaluate tissue perfusion in real time.

He is author and co-author of 95 scientific publications published in indexed national and international journals (ORCID). His H-index is 18.

He regularly participates as Faculty member and Tutor in practical dissection courses in head and neck surgery and in national and international scientific congresses in the field.