PD Dr. med. Fabio Garofalo

• 1999 – 2005: Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italia
• 2005 – 2006: PRHO (Pre-Registered House Officer), Derby City General Hospital, Regno Unito (Chirurgia Generale, Medicina Interna, Pediatria)
• 2006 – 2007: SHO (Senior House Officer), Kings Mill Hospital, Mansfield, Regno Unito
  (Chirurgia Vascolare, Pediatria, Ortopedia)
• 2008 – 2011: Medico in formazione specialistica in Chirurgia Generale, Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Svizzera
  (Primario: PD Dr. med. Martin Bolli)
• 2011 – 2012: Medico in formazione specialistica in Chirurgia Generale, CHUV – Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Losanna, Svizzera
  (Primario: Prof. Dr. med. Nicolas Demartines)

Original works and systematic reviews

1. F. Garofalo, D. Christoforidis, P.G. di Summa , B. Gay, S. Cherix, W. Raffoul , N. Demartines, M. Matter,”The unresolved case of sacral chordoma: from misdiagnosis to challenging surgery and medical therapy resistance”. Ann Coloproctol 2014; 30(3):122-31. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 0.97 / N.A.
2. F. Garofalo, P. Mota-Moya, A. Munday, S. Romy. “Total extraperitoneal hernia repair: residency teaching program and outcomes evaluation” World J Surg. 2017 Jan;41(1):100-105. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.382 / 0.7.
3. F. Garofalo, R. Denis, O. Abouzahr, P. Garneau, R. Pescarus, H. Atlas, ”Fully Ambulatory Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: 328 Consecutive Patients in a Single Tertiary Bariatric Center”. Obes Surg.  2016 Jul;26(7):1429-35. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.479 / 0.737.
4. F. Garofalo, R Denis, R Pescarus, H Atlas, S Bacon, P Garneau, “Long-term outcome after laporoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in patients over 65 years old: a retrospective analysis”. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2017 Jan;13(1):1-6. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.709 / 0.775.
5. F. Garofalo, M. Noreau-Nguyen, R. Denis, H. Atlas, P. Garneau, R. Pescarus, “Evolution of endoscopic treatment of sleeve gastrectomy leaks: from partially covered to long fully covered stents” Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2017 Jun;13(6):925-932. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.709 / 0.775.
6. P. Y. Garneau, F. Garofalo, V. Deslauriers, S.L. Bacon, R. Denis, R. Pescarus, H. Atlas, M. Deglise, I. Tramblay. “Neuromuscular blockade, bariatric surgeon satisfaction, and quality of patient recovery” Minim Invasive Surgi Sci. 2017 Feb. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: N.A / N.A.
7. V. Deslauriers, A. Beauchamp, F. Garofalo, H. Atlas, R. Denis, P. Garneau, R. Pescarus. “Endoscopic Management of Post Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Stenosis”  Surg Endosc. 2018 Feb;32(2):601-609. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.453 / 0.723)
8. F. Garofalo, R. Pescarus, R. Denis, H. Atlas, P. Garneau, M. Philie, K. Sayegh. “Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a radiological guide to common postsurgical failure” Can Assoc Radiol J. 2018 May;69(2):184-196. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 4.186 / 0.647.
9. P.Y. Garneau, O. Abouzahr, F. Garofalo, N. AlEnazi, S.L. Bacon, R. Denis, R. Pescarus, H. Atlas. “Decreasing complication rates for one‑stage conversion band to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A retrospective cohort study” J Minim Access Surg. 2019 Apr 24. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 1.407 / N.A.
10. D. La Regina, F. Mongelli, A. Fasoli, G. Lollo, M. Ceppi, A. Saporito, F. Garofalo, M. Di Giuseppe, A. Ferrario di Tor Vajana. “Clinical Adverse Events after Endoscopic Resection for Colorectal Lesions: A Meta-Analysis on the Antibiotic Prophylaxis”. Dig Dis 2020;38(1):15-22. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3,421 / 0.387.
11. F. Mongelli, M. Fitzgerald, M. Di Giuseppe, A. Vannelli, D. La Regina, F. Garofalo, M. Marengo. “Three-dimensional laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with totally hand-sewn anastomoses for morbid obesity: a single center experience” Acta Cir Bras 2020 Sep 7;35(8). Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 1.564 / 0.235.
12. F. Mongelli, A. Cianfarani, M. Di Giuseppe, A. Ferrario Di Tor Vajana, A. Saporito, F. Garofalo, D. La Regina. “Cystic duct dysplasia after cholecystectomy: a systematic review of the literature” Int Surg Journal. Vol 6, No11, 2019. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 0.163 / 0.005.
13. F. Mongelli, F. Proietti, A. Cianfarani, D. La Regina, F. Garofalo, M. DI Giuseppe, R. Pini. “Suture and fixation of the transversalis fascia during robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (R-TAPP) to prevent seroma formation after direct inguinal hernia repair” Surgical Innovation 2021 Jun;28(3):284-289. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 1.785 / 0.286.
14. H. K S Hamid, S. H Emile, A. A Saber, M Dincer, D. T. H. de Moura, L. P L Gilissen, M. A Almadi, M. Montuori, M. Vix, L. G S Perisse, N. Quezada, F. Garofalo, Radu Pescarus. “Customized bariatric stents for sleeve gastrectomy leak: are they superior to conventional esophageal stents? A systematic review and proportion meta-analysis”. Surg Endosc 2021 Mar;35(3):1025-1038.  Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.453 / 0.723.
15. M.V. Bertoni,, M. Marengo, F. Garofalo, F. Volontè, D. La Regina, M. Gass, F.Mongelli. “Robotic-Assisted Versus Laparoscopic Revisional Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Perioperative Outcomes”. Obes Surg. 2022 Aug;32(8):2823-2824. doi: 10.1007/s11695-022-05929-w. Epub 2022 Jun 13. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.479/ 0.737
16. Mongelli F, Horvath Z, Marengo M, Volontè F, La Regina D, Peterli R, Garofalo F.” Reoperative bariatric surgery after primary laparoscopic gastric plication for morbid obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis” Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2022 Aug;407(5):1839-1850. doi: 10.1007/s00423-022-02485-w. Epub 2022 Mar 2. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 2.895/ 0.62.
17. A. Torre, M. Marengo, N. S Ledingham, C. Ajani, F. Volontè, F. Garofalo, F. Mongelli; Opioid-Free Anesthesia in Bariatric Surgery: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis. Obes Surg  2022 May;32(5):1673-1680. doi: 10.1007/s11695-022-06012-0. Epub 2022 Mar 16. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.479 / 0.737.
18. S G Popeskou, Zs Horvath, F Mongelli, R Roesel, A Cristaudi, F Garofalo, D Christoforidis. Bowel recovery after intra- vs extra-corporeal anastomosis for oncologic laparoscopic right hemicolectomy within an ERAS protocol: a retrospective study. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2022 Sep;407(6):2463-2469. doi: 10.1007/s00423-022-02585-7. Epub 2022 Jun 21. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 2.895/ 0.62.
19. P. Trimboli; N. Ossola; A. Torre; F. Mongelli; M. Quarenghi; C. Camponovo; B. Lucchini; M. Rotondi; L. Ruinelli; F. Garofalo.  The performance of levothyroxine tablet is impaired by bariatric surgery. Endocrine 2023 Jun;80(3):563-569. doi: 10.1007/s12020-022-03289-0. Epub 2022 Dec 29.. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.925/ 0.466.
20. R. Roesel, L. Bernardi, M.A. Bonino, S.G. Popeskou, F. Garofalo. A. Cristaudi. Minimally-Invasive Pancreatic Enucleation (MI-pEn): Systematic Review and Metanalysis of short-term outcomes. HPB (Oxford) 2023 Jun;25(6):603-613. doi: 10.1016/j.hpb.2023.02.014.  Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.842 / 0.784
21. F. Mongelli, F. Garofalo, P. Giacopelli, M. Munini, F. Volontè, M. Marengo. Assessment of gastric pouch blood supply with indocyanine green fluorescence in conversional and revisional bariatric surgery: a prospective comparative study. Sci Rep 2023 Jun 6;13(1):9152. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36442-4. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 4.997 / 0.757
22. F. Mongelli, M. Marengo, M. V. Bertoni, F. Volontè, N. S. Ledingham, F Garofalo. Laparoscopic-assisted transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus port-site infiltration with local anesthetics in bariatric surgery: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Obes Surg 2023 (accepted on 15th September 2023).  Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.479 / 0.737.
23. Affolter J, Mühlhäusser J, Marengo M, Garofalo F, Gass JM, Mongelli F.  Costs of robotic and laparoscopic bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Surg Endosc. 2025 May;39(5):2784-2798. doi: 10.1007/s00464-025-11744-y. Epub 2025 Apr 21. Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.453 / 0.723.
24. Senatore AM, Mongelli F, Mion FU, Lucchelli M, Garofalo F. Costs of Robotic and Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: A Retrospective Propensity Score-matched Analysis. Obes Surg. 2024 Oct;34(10):3694-3702. doi: 10.1007/s11695-024-07477-x. Epub 2024 Aug 27 Impact factor/maximum ranking 2021: 3.479 / 0.737
25. Iaquinandi F, Pini R, Sabbatini F, Toti JMA, Garofalo F, La Regina D, Mongelli F. Robotic-assisted treatment of paraesophageal hernias in the emergency setting: a retrospective study.J Robot Surg. 2024 May 29;18(1):228. doi: 10.1007/s11701-024-01975-x.

Case reports – letters – video papers

1. F. Garofalo, R.E. Vandoni, A. Guerra, M. Alerci, S. Cippa, P. Gertsch, “Radiofrequency cured hepatic bleeding from anabolic steroid-induced peliosis hepatis”. Surgical Practice 2010; 14(3):111–115.
2. O. Abouzahr, F. Garofalo, P. Garneau, “Laparoscopic gastrectomy in the post-partum period: increased risk of bleeding, a challenging situation”. Obes Surg.  2016 Jun;26(6):1360-2.
3. F. Garofalo, H. Atlas, R. Pescarus. “Laparoscopic treatment of gastro-colic fistula: a rare complication post sleeve gastrectomy”, Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2016 Nov;12(9):1761-1763.
4. F. Garofalo, O. Abouzahr, H. Atlas, R. Denis, P. Garneau, H. Huynh, R.  Pescarus. “Laparoscopic revision of Billroth II with Braun anastomosis into Roux-en-Y anatomy in a patient with intestinal malrotation” Surg Endosc. 2018 Jan;32(1):511.
5. S. Popeskou, A. Cristaudi; F. Garofalo; D. Celio; F. Mongelli; P. Scarone; P. Majno-Hurst; D. Christoforidis. “Combined surgical approach for Retrorectal Tumors with intra-operative CT guidance: Sacral Chordoma”. Colorectal disease 2021 Mar;23(3):759-760
6. Z. Horvath MD, M. Marengo, F. Garofalo, F. Mongelli; Intestinal Malrotation: A Rare Pathology Discovered During a Conversion from Sleeve Gastrectomy to Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass. International Surgery Case Reports 2022 Online ahead of print.
7. F. Garofalo, F  Mongelli, A  Cristaudi, D La Regina, M Podetta, M Marengo, SG Popeskou. Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Conversion to SADI-S with Use of Indocyanine Green Fluoroscopy. Obes Surg. 2022 Aug;32(8):2823-2824. doi: 10.1007/s11695-022-05929-w. Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Narrative Reviews

1. F. Garofalo, P.G. di Summa, D. Christoforidis, M. Pracht, P. Laudato, S. Cherix, H. Bouchaab, W. Raffoul, N. Demartines, M. Matter. ”Multidisciplinary approach of lumbo-sacral chordoma: From oncological treatment to reconstructive surgery”. J Surg Oncol. 2015 Oct;112(5):544-54.

 Books

1. F. Garofalo and R. Pescarus. Chapter 32: “Complications of sleeve gastrectomy” The SAGES Manual of Bariatric Surgery 2nd Edition, 2018 (Kevin Reavis, MD, Allison Barrett, MD, Matthew Kroh, MD Editors).

Attività editoriale e di revisione scientifica

• Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases – Revisore
• Langenbeck’s Archives of Surgery – Revisore
• Journal of Robotic Surgery – Revisore

Affiliazioni società scientifiche

• ASMBS (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery)
• SMOB (Società Svizzera per lo Studio dell’Obesità e dei Disturbi Metabolici)
• FMH (Federazione dei Medici Svizzeri)
• OMCT (Ordine dei Medici del Canton Ticino)
• OMCeO (Ordine dei Medici Chirurghi e Odontoiatri di Milano)

• 2012 – 2013: Capo Reparto Aggiunto in Chirurgia Generale, Ospedale HIB di Payerne, Svizzera
  (Primario: Dr. med. Sébastien Romy)
• 2013 – 2014: Capo Reparto Aggiunto in Chirurgia Generale, Ospedale di Sion, Svizzera
  (Primario: Dr. med. Claude Haller)
• 2015 – 2016: Clinical Fellow in Chirurgia Mini-invasiva e Bariatrica, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur, Università di Montréal, Canada
  (Primario: Prof. R. Denis; Direttore del Programma:Prof. P-Y Garneau; Responsabile Bariatrica: Prof. H. Atlas)
• 2017 – 2019: Chirurgo (Capo-clinica FMH), Chirurgia Generale, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Svizzera
  (Primario: Prof. Dr. med. Pietro Majno-Hurst)
• 2020 – oggi: Medico dirigente (Capo-servizio), Chirurgia Viscerale, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Svizzera
  • Responsabile della Chirurgia Bariatrica (dal 2024, accreditamento SMOB)
    (Primario del Servizio: Prof. Dr. med. Dimistrios Christoforidis)
• 2023 – oggi: Medico referente per la chirurgia Bariatrica, Centromedico Lugano, Bellinzona

 Attività didattica

• 2021 – oggi: Docente e tutor, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI)
  (Modulo Abdominal Organs – corsi, lezioni e attività cliniche)
• 2015 – oggi: Faculty Member, corso ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support)
• 2021 – oggi: Docente, Mini-ATLS (corso opzionale per studenti USI)

Certificazioni

• 2006: Abilitazione presso il General Medical Council (GMC), Regno Unito
• 2008: Abilitazione alla professione medica in Italia (Esame di Stato)
• 2014: Titolo FMH in Chirurgia Generale (Svizzera)
• 2017: Fellow, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)
• 2018: Certificazione SMOB come Chirurgo Bariatrico (Society for the Study of Morbid Obesity & Metabolic Disorders)
• 2020: Titolo FMH in Chirurgia Viscerale (Svizzera)
• 2023: Privatdozent (PD), Università della Svizzera Italiana