Stefano Di Michele

Dr. Stefano Di Michele

obstetrics and gynecology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 November 2022 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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ANGELOS DANIILIDISANGELOS DANIILIDIS
ANGELOS DANIILIDIS
Stefano AngioniStefano Angioni
Stefano Angioni
Stefano Di MicheleStefano Di Michele
Stefano Di Michele
KDKonstantinos Dinas
Konstantinos Dinas
FGFani Gkrozou
Fani Gkrozou
Maurizio Nicola D'AlterioMaurizio Nicola D'Alterio
Maurizio Nicola D'Alterio
In women with deep endometriosis, the spontaneous fertility rate might range from 2 to 10%. The optimal management of these women is still an area of debate. Therefore, this review aims to explore the literature on the impact of deep endometriosis surgery on reproductive outcomes and pregnancy rates in women with and without prior infertility. A total of 392 articles were identified through database searching. Twenty-three studies were eligible to be included in the review. A total of 1548 women were identified, 814 of whom became pregnant, with a mean pregnancy rate of 52.6% (95% CI 49.7–63%). Our review suggests that surgery may improve fertility outcomes. Due to the variability in the studies, it is impossible to stratify fertility outcomes of surgery by the localization of deep endometriosis. More investigations are needed to determine whether surgical management should be first-intention or limited to the failure of medically assisted reproduction treatment.

12 February 2025 in Biomedicines
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Journal Article
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Stefano Di MicheleStefano Di Michele
Stefano Di Michele
Anna Maria FulghesuAnna Maria Fulghesu
Anna Maria Fulghesu
EPElena Pittui
Elena Pittui
MCMartina Cordella
Martina Cordella
GSGilda Sicilia
Gilda Sicilia
Stefano AngioniStefano Angioni
Stefano Angioni
Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age, characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical, metabolic, and ultrasound findings. Over time, ultrasound has evolved into a cornerstone for diagnosing polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), thanks to advances in probe technology, 3D imaging, and novel stromal markers. The recent incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) further enhances diagnostic precision by reducing operator-related variability. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of English-language articles in PubMed and Embase using the keywords “PCOS”, “polycystic ovary syndrome”, “ultrasound”, “3D ultrasound”, and “ovarian stroma”. Studies on diagnostic criteria, imaging modalities, stromal assessment, and machine-learning algorithms were prioritized. Additional references were identified via citation screening. Results: Conventional 2D ultrasound remains essential in clinical practice, with follicle number per ovary (FNPO) and ovarian volume (OV) functioning as primary diagnostic criteria. However, sensitivity and specificity values vary significantly depending on probe frequency, cut-off thresholds (≥12, ≥20, or ≥25 follicles), and patient characteristics (e.g., adolescence, obesity). Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound and Doppler techniques refine PCOS diagnosis by enabling automated follicle measurements, stromal/ovarian area ratio assessments, and evaluation of vascular indices correlating strongly with hyperandrogenism. Meanwhile, AI-driven ultrasound analysis has emerged as a promising tool for minimizing observer bias and validating advanced metrics (e.g., SA/OA ratio) that may overcome traditional limitations of stroma-based criteria. Conclusions: The continual evolution of ultrasound, encompassing higher probe frequencies, 3D enhancements, and now AI-assisted algorithms, has expanded our ability to characterize PCOM accurately. Nevertheless, challenges such as operator dependency and inter-observer variability persist despite standardized protocols; the integration of AI holds promise in further enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Future directions should focus on robust AI training datasets, multicenter validation, and age-/BMI-specific cut-offs to optimize the balance between sensitivity and specificity, ultimately facilitating earlier and more precise PCOS diagnoses.

9 September 2022 in Pediatric Research
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CBClara Adriana Maria de Bruijn
Clara Adriana Maria de Bruijn
Stefano Di MicheleStefano Di Michele
Stefano Di Michele
MTMaria Luisa Tataranno
Maria Luisa Tataranno
LRLuca A. Ramenghi
Luca A. Ramenghi
ARAndrea Rossi
Andrea Rossi
Jeroen DudinkJeroen Dudink
Jeroen Dudink

24 September 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Stefano Di MicheleStefano Di Michele
Stefano Di Michele
SBSilvia Bramante
Silvia Bramante
MRMaurizio Rosati
Maurizio Rosati
Introduction: Endometriosis, characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, includes deep endometriosis (DE), which can affect the urinary tract. Ureteral endometriosis (UE) is a rare but significant manifestation that can lead to ureteral obstruction, hydronephrosis, and potential kidney loss. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness and outcomes of laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted ureteral reimplantation techniques in patients with UE. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to July 2024. Studies included patients with UE who underwent ureteral reimplantation using laparoscopic or robotic-assisted techniques. Data on patient demographics, surgical technique, duration of surgery, complications, follow-up duration, and clinical outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 225 patients in the laparoscopic group and 24 in the robotic-assisted group. Lich–Gregoir ureteral reimplantation, with or without a psoas hitch, was the predominant technique used. The average surgery duration was 271.1 min for the laparoscopic group and 310.4 min for the robotic-assisted group. Recurrence rates for UE were 2.95% for laparoscopic and 5.9% for robotic-assisted procedures. The robotic-assisted group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (6.7 days vs. 9.1 days, p < 0.01). Postoperative complication rates were comparable between the two techniques (p = 0.422). Conclusions: Both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques for ureteral reimplantation in UE are safe and effective, with the choice of technique guided by surgeon expertise and specific clinical scenarios. However, the limited number of robotic cases introduces a bias, despite statistical significance.

6 June 2025 in Advances in Therapy
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SVSalvatore Giovanni Vitale
Salvatore Giovanni Vitale
Stefano Di MicheleStefano Di Michele
Stefano Di Michele
ATAlice Tassi
Alice Tassi
CSClaudia Succu
Claudia Succu
SAStefano Angioni
Stefano Angioni
AFAnna Maria Fulghesu
Anna Maria Fulghesu
Introduction This study aimed to evaluate metformin treatment’s immediate and long-term efficacy in adolescent patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperinsulinemia and the subsequent metabolic evolution post-treatment discontinuation. Methods This single-center, retrospective cohort study included 168 adolescent girls (12–17 years) diagnosed with PCOS between December 2018 and August 2024. All participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test to evaluate insulin sensitivity and were stratified into two groups: patients with normal insulinemia (n = 21) and patients with hyperinsulinemia (n = 147). Patients with hyperinsulinemia were offered low-dose metformin (500 mg twice daily); 80 accepted and formed the treatment arm, while 53 declined and served as controls. Simultaneously, every subject received a continuous regimen of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) (30 µg ethinyl estradiol/3 mg drospirenone). Clinical, biochemical, and ultrasound assessments were conducted at baseline, at regular intervals during therapy, at the end of treatment, and at least 24 months after metformin discontinuation to evaluate immediate and long-term outcomes. Results Metformin therapy yielded favorable body mass index, insulin sensitivity, and androgenic profile outcomes. Remarkably, these benefits persisted beyond the cessation of treatment. Metformin responders showed a ≥ 20% decrease in the insulin area under the curve values post-treatment. Our investigation revealed a substantial reduction in insulin resistance indices, evident both after therapy (p < 0.001) and during post-therapy follow-up (p = 0.001) compared to baseline values. Furthermore, patients showed improvements in clinical hyperandrogenism and reductions in ovarian volume. Conclusions Our study highlights the effectiveness of low-dose metformin therapy in improving insulin resistance and metabolic parameters among adolescent patients with PCOS. Sustained benefits were observed even after treatment cessation. These findings underscore the potential for early intervention with metformin during adolescence to confer long-lasting advantages in managing metabolic abnormalities associated with PCOS.

17 March 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Stefano Di MicheleStefano Di Michele
Stefano Di Michele
SBSilvia Bramante
Silvia Bramante
Stefano AngioniStefano Angioni
Stefano Angioni
MBMichela Bernassola
Michela Bernassola
TVTommaso De Vita
Tommaso De Vita
MRMaurizio Rosati
Maurizio Rosati
Background: The validation of laser usage during laparoscopic procedures, notably by Camran Nezhat in the late 1980s, has been significant. Lasers offer precision and depth control in tissue vaporization without bleeding. Surgical intervention remains central in managing endometriosis-associated pain and infertility, especially for patients unresponsive to hormonal therapy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 200 patients with superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SPE) who underwent laparoscopic laser vaporization. Surgery was performed using a CO2 laser, and histological confirmation of endometriosis was obtained for all cases. Pain scores and SF-36 questionnaire domains were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Fertility outcomes were evaluated among patients desiring pregnancy. Results: Significant improvements in pain score and SF-36 questionnaire domains were observed postoperatively (p-value < 0.01), indicating enhanced quality of life. Among infertile patients with an active desire for pregnancy, surgical treatment showed an overall pregnancy rate after surgery of 93.7% (p-value < 0.01), including 75.7% natural pregnancies and 24.3% IVF. Laser vaporization enabled precise lesion removal with minimal tissue damage, short operative time, and minimal blood loss. Conclusions: Laparoscopic laser vaporization is an effective treatment for SPE, offering pain relief, improved quality of life, and favorable fertility outcomes. Further research is needed to validate these results in terms of pain control and fertility.