Dr. Paolo De Paolis is a general surgeon specializing in abdominal surgery, with a focus on minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques. At the Fornaca Clinic, he primarily performs surgeries for inguinal, femoral (crural), and umbilical hernias, as well as abdominal wall defects such as laparoceles, using advanced minimally invasive laparoscopic methods.

Dr. De Paolis has built one of the most extensive and well-documented case histories in the field, both in terms of volume and clinical outcomes. Together with his team, he has established a dedicated “hernia team” at the Fornaca Clinic. This multidisciplinary group manages the patient’s entire journey—from diagnosis to full recovery of personal, professional, and athletic activities.

Laparoscopic hernia repair is typically performed in a day-hospital setting, with admission from approximately 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Patients usually return home the same evening and can resume normal daily activities as early as the following day.

Dr. De Paolis also serves as a key representative for the National Schools of Laparoscopy of both the Società Italiana di Chirurgia (SIC) and the Associazione dei Chirurghi Ospedalieri Italiani (ACOI).

Dr. Paolo De Paolis was born in Viareggio (LU) in 1957. He graduated in Medicine and specialized in Emergency Surgery and First Aid at the University of Turin.
From 1983 to 1986, he attended the Division of General Surgery “B” and the Institute of Emergency Surgery at the University of Turin, based at the Molinette Hospital. In 1986, he was appointed Assistant in General Surgery at the S. Andrea Hospital in Vercelli. In 1989, he returned to the Division of General Surgery “B” at the Molinette Hospital in Turin—then under the direction of Prof. G. Balbo—as Assistant in General Surgery.
In 1995, he became a First-Level Medical Director in Surgery Unit 7, directed by Prof. G.R. Fronda, at the Molinette Hospital. He was head of the Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit and reference surgeon for kidney transplant procedures.
In August 2006, he was appointed Chief Surgeon at Gradenigo Hospital in Turin.
In October 2016, he became Director of Surgery Unit 4 at the Molinette Hospital – City of Health and Science of Turin.
In October 2017, he was appointed Director of the General Emergency Surgery and Emergency Department at the Molinette Hospital and CTO – City of Health and Science of Turin.

His scientific and clinical interests focus on hepatobiliary surgery, advanced laparoscopic surgery, and colorectal surgery.

Scientific Activity:

• Author of 70 peer-reviewed publications.
• Presented original work at 3 national and international congresses.
• Participated as speaker and moderator in over 80 scientific events.

Teaching Activity:

• Instructor at the School of Professional Nurses in Vercelli, the School of Professional Nurses, and the Dietitian School of the Molinette Hospital.
• Professor at the University of Turin for the School of Specialization in Anaesthesia and Resuscitation (1997–2002).
• Tutor for the course Diseases of the Digestive System in the Degree Program in Medicine and Surgery.

International Training and Fellowships:

• Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Université Paris VII, under Prof. Fékété.
• Beaujon Hospital, under Prof. J. Belghiti.
• Advanced Course in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, Hamburg.
• EITS (European Institute of Telesurgery), Strasbourg:
  • Advanced Course in Laparoscopic Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery.
  • Advanced Course in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery.
• Clinique Chirurgicale de la Porte de l’Orient, Lorient.

Professional Leadership Roles:

• Since 2006, Regional Coordinator for Piemonte, later National Council Member, and eventually National Vice President of ACOI (Italian Association of Hospital Surgeons).
• President of the Società Piemontese di Chirurgia since January 2014.
• Past President of the Italian Society of Surgery (Società Italiana di Chirurgia).