ALERT!
This site is not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 (or older).
Please upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer or use an alternate browser such as Chrome or Firefox.
Alessandro Brunelli
Alessandro Brunelli, M.D.

Video(s)
Background
Dr. Alessandro Brunelli is a Consultant Thoracic Surgeon and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, St. James's University Hospital, in Leeds, UK. He moved to UK in 2014 after working 15 years in Italy as staff thoracic surgeon in Ancona, leading the Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Unit from 2010 to 2014.
Dr. Brunelli was the 30th President of the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS) and former Secretary General of the same Society for 9 years. He was a member of the ESTS Board of Directors from 2008 to 2024 and he served as an International Director of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Board (2022-2025). He has been the Director of the ESTS Database from 2008 to 2012 and member of many committees and working groups of the Organisation. Dr. Brunelli lead the working group setting up the criteria and process of European Institutional Accreditation program.
He is the Author of more than 430 scientific papers published in peer-reviewed impact factored scientific journals with a Scopus H-index of 60 and more than 15,000 citations.
He has been a member of the Editorial Board of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery and Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.
Dr. Brunelli is the co-Chair of the European Respiratory Society/European Society of Thoracic Surgeons joint task force to develop guidelines for the selection of patients for lung cancer radical treatment and is the lead author of the Physiologic Chapter of the third edition of the American College of Chest Physicians guidelines for diagnosis and management of Lung Cancer.
Other Interests
Dr Brunelli is a highly sought after lecturer and visiting professor, with recent international teaching engagements in Asia, Europe and North-America.He is a strong advocate for evidence-based surgical practice and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a commitment to advancing patient-centered and data-driven lung cancer care. He brings a humanistic perspective to medicine, grounded in curiosity, cultural exchange and deep commitment to patient-centered care.
Outside his clinical and academic work, Alex is a dedicated traveler, wine enthusiast, avid reader of historical fiction, and enjoys gym workouts. He often returns to his native Portonovo di Ancona, Italy, where he enjoys beach-life, and relishes seafood paired with a chilled glass of Verdicchio.
Research
Segmentectomy and sublobar resection for early stage NSCLC
Outcomes of neoadjuvant and perioperative immunotherapy
Enhanced recovery and perioperative care
Quantitative risk stratification and prediction modelling
Digital health, patient-reported outcomes and AI in thoracic surgery
Additional Educational Information
ECFMG certified (Sept. 1994. #0-499-913-2)
University of Ancona, Italy, Thoracic Surgery Residency (1994-1998)
University of Ancona, Italy, Medical School (M.D. 1992)
Content Published on CTSNet
Practice Areas
- Thoracic
- Minimally Invasive
- VATS
- Thoracic
- Lung
- Cancer
- Professional Affairs