Günter Karl Noé

Prof. Dr. Günter Karl Noé


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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Journal Article
Open access
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Anna PitsillidiAnna Pitsillidi
Anna Pitsillidi
LVLaura Vona
Laura Vona
SBStefano Bettocchi
Stefano Bettocchi
SSSven Schiermeier
Sven Schiermeier
GNGünter Karl Noé
Günter Karl Noé
Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress incontinence (SUI) are very common medical conditions, affecting women’s quality of life worldwide. Current surgical and conservative therapies often yield variable outcomes and carry risks of complications or recurrence. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a promising regenerative approach in various medical disciplines. Its application in urogynecology remains relatively new and emerging. The objective of this study was to review and consolidate existing evidence regarding the application of PRP injections for treating POP and/or SUI. Methods: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The search strategy included MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus databases, covering articles published up to February 2025, with no restrictions on publication date. Results: We included in our review a total of 13 manuscripts and 320 patients at the end of the screening process. A total of ten SUI studies, comprising 273 patients, and three POP studies, involving 47 patients, satisfied all the review criteria. Both clinical entities reported high subjective improvement following PRP treatment. Moreover, PRP appeared to have no significant adverse effects. Conclusions: Our scoping review suggests that PRP may have potential benefits in the treatment of POP and SUI. Nevertheless, the current evidence on its application in this area remains limited. Therefore, well-designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with extended follow-up periods are urgently needed, in the era of personalized medicine.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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GNGünter Karl Noé
Günter Karl Noé
NZNele Ziems
Nele Ziems
Anna PitsillidiAnna Pitsillidi
Anna Pitsillidi
IAIbrahim Alkatout
Ibrahim Alkatout
DDDusan Djokovic
Dusan Djokovic
Background/Objectives: Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) have multifactorial etiology. This makes treatment challenging and often unsatisfactory. This project introduces robust data on risk factors for PFDs and explores opportunities for their prevention, focusing on previous gynecological surgical interventions. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analytical cohort study analyzing demographic and clinical data from 832 consecutive patients who underwent pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery at a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Cologne between 2010 and 2019. Patient characteristics—including age, body mass index (BMI), parity, mode of delivery, and symptoms—were collected from medical records. Associations between patient factors and surgical history were assessed using Kendall’s Tau (KT) for correlations and relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the impact of previous hysterectomies and pelvic surgeries on PFD. Results: First vaginal delivery and age were the strongest factors associated with PFD. BMI had a smaller impact, and multiple vaginal deliveries did not significantly influence apical (KT 0.037), posterior (KT 0.007), anterior midline (KT 0.015), or lateral defects (KT 0.015). Cesarean section was protective. Subtotal hysterectomy showed no significant association with PFD. Total hysterectomy was strongly associated with posterior defects (RR 4.750, 95% CI: 1.871–12.059) and anterior midline defects (RR 1.645, 95% CI: 0.654–4.139). Recurrent urinary infections were associated with abdominal colposuspension (RR 4.485, 95% CI: 1.12–18.03). Dyspareunia occurred more frequently after vaginal (RR 3.971, 95% CI: 0.78–20.14) and abdominal hysterectomy (RR 1.620, 95% CI: 0.32–8.15). Vaginal hysterectomy was linked to fecal incontinence (RR 5.559, 95% CI: 1.17–26.30), MUI (RR 2.156, 95% CI: 1.09–4.23), and UUI (RR 4.226, 95% CI: 1.82–6.85). Conclusions: The factors identified as influencing (PFD) offer a solid foundation for evidence-based patient counseling within our population. Our large dataset confirmed key risk factors, notably childbirth and advancing age. However, the influence of BMI on symptoms and anatomical defects appears to be less significant than previously assumed. Subtotal hysterectomy was not associated with new PFD in our cohort and may represent a viable option when hysterectomy is indicated, though further studies are needed to confirm this potential advantage.

7 September 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Journal Article
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Anna PitsillidiAnna Pitsillidi
Anna Pitsillidi
Georgios GrigoriadisGeorgios Grigoriadis
Georgios Grigoriadis
LVLaura Vona
Laura Vona
GNGünter Karl Noé
Günter Karl Noé
ANGELOS DANIILIDISANGELOS DANIILIDIS
ANGELOS DANIILIDIS
Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) significantly impairs patients’ quality of life, especially in urinary, bowel, and sexual domains. While laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LS) is the current gold standard for apical prolapse repair, it is associated with certain complications. Laparoscopic pectopexy (LP), a newer technique utilizing the iliopectineal ligament for apical suspension, may offer improved outcomes with fewer adverse effects. This scoping review aimed to evaluate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and quality of life (QoL) following LP and compare its effectiveness to other established surgical approaches. Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were performed through June 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohorts, and case series that reported PROs following LP. Data on validated QoL tools (e.g., P-QOL, PFDI-20, PFIQ-7, FSFI, PISQ-12), surgical technique, and follow-up duration were extracted. Due to heterogeneity in the study design and outcomes, findings were synthesized qualitatively. Results: Thirteen studies including a total of 742 patients met the inclusion criteria. Across all included studies, LP was associated with significant improvements in QoL metrics, including urinary and sexual function, and overall patient satisfaction. Tools such as PFDI-20, FSFI, PISQ-12, and PGI-I consistently showed postoperative improvement (p < 0.05). Comparative studies demonstrated that the outcomes for LP were similar or superior to those of sacrocolpopexy, sacrospinous fixation, or sacrohysteropexy, particularly regarding sexual function. Conclusions: LP is an effective surgical alternative for apical POP repair, offering significant improvements in patient-reported quality of life and functional outcomes. Its favorable safety profile and comparable efficacy to traditional methods make it a compelling option, particularly for patients with contraindications to sacral dissection. Findings are limited by small and heterogeneous studies, short follow-up, and potential publication and language biases. Further prospective studies with long-term follow-up periods are necessary to confirm these findings and refine patient selection criteria.

Verified
Journal Article
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Anna PitsillidiAnna Pitsillidi
Anna Pitsillidi
LVLaura Vona
Laura Vona
Guglielmo StabileGuglielmo Stabile
Guglielmo Stabile
GNGünter Karl Noé
Günter Karl Noé
Introduction: Mucosal melanomas are rare, and vulvar melanoma is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage with aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. The clitoral region adds challenges due to its functional importance and lack of a dedicated staging system, requiring individualized management. This review evaluates current evidence on prognosis with emphasis on clitoral involvement and highlights diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, underscoring the need for personalized strategies and prospective multicentre studies. Materials and Methods: A systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251151187), was conducted per PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, including English-language case reports and series of primary clitoral melanoma published until August 2025, with no historical limits. Results: 15 cases from 10 studies were identified. The mean patient age was 60 years, with most tumors presenting at advanced stages (median Breslow thickness of 8 mm, frequent ulceration). Immunohistochemical markers and gene mutations are rarely investigated in reported cases. All patients underwent surgery, with variable lymph node assessment; adjuvant therapy was rarely used. Recurrence occurred in nearly one-third of cases, sometimes more than 10 years after initial treatment. Conclusions: Primary clitoral melanoma is extremely rare and often diagnosed late, underscoring the need for heightened clinical awareness. Wide local excision with organ preservation is preferred, and bilateral sentinel lymph-node biopsy can improve staging. The absence of a dedicated staging system and limited systemic evidence highlight the need for standardized protocols. Emerging molecular and immunologic approaches are promising, but prospective multicentre studies are essential to guide management.

17 April 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Anna PitsillidiAnna Pitsillidi
Anna Pitsillidi
LVLaura Vona
Laura Vona
SBStefano Bettocchi
Stefano Bettocchi
SSSven Schiermeier
Sven Schiermeier
GNGünter Karl Noé
Günter Karl Noé
Background: Nowadays, there is an increasing desire among women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) to choose a uterus-sparing surgical treatment in order to preserve their fertility. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess how pregnancy and delivery affect the recurrence of POP in women who had previously undergone laparoscopic hysteropexy as well as to improve and individualise the future counselling of patients of reproductive age desiring uterine-preserving treatment for POP. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus databases for articles published until January 2025, without previous historical limits. The research strategy adopted included different combinations of the following terms: hysteropexy, pregnancy, laparoscopy, and prolapse. Results: A total of ten case reports and three case series met the inclusion criteria for the review, comprising 26 patients. All authors used laparoscopic sacral hysteropexy (LSHP) for the treatment of POP. All patients underwent caesarean delivery at a mean gestational age of 38 weeks. Over a mean follow-up period of 9 months, only 4% of patients developed a recurrent uterine prolapse. A total of 8% of the patients developed de novo anterior compartment prolapse, 8% developed a recurrence of anterior compartment prolapse, and 4% developed posterior compartment prolapse. Conclusions: LSHP seems to be a safe option for women of reproductive age with incomplete family planning, as it does not seem to negatively impact foetal growth. Pregnancy does not appear to affect the long-term efficacy of hysteropexy in maintaining apical support. Given the limited data on the safety and efficacy of uterine-sparing surgery for POP followed by a subsequent pregnancy, further evidence is of great importance towards evaluating safety, efficacy, and providing better counselling for women.

7 August 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Anna PitsillidiAnna Pitsillidi
Anna Pitsillidi
LVLaura Vona
Laura Vona
SBStefano Bettocchi
Stefano Bettocchi
SSSven Schiermeier
Sven Schiermeier
GNGünter Karl Noé
Günter Karl Noé
Background/Objective: Anterior compartment prolapse is commonly described as cystocele or anterior vaginal wall descent, although these terms do not identify the underlying mechanism of support failure. Similar POP-Q findings may result from different anatomical defects, including central cystocele, paravaginal support loss, apical descent, levator ani injury, hiatal ballooning, or combined abnormalities. Pelvic floor ultrasound may improve anatomical characterization, but its role in defect-specific phenotyping remains unclear. Our objective was to map the current evidence on the use of pelvic floor ultrasound for anatomical phenotyping of anterior compartment prolapse beyond POP-Q staging. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched through May 2026. Studies evaluating anterior compartment prolapse using pelvic floor ultrasound were included. Non-ultrasound anatomical, clinical, and MRI studies were considered only as contextual literature and were not included in the evidence synthesis. Results: Twelve ultrasound-based studies were included. Most studies focused on lateral/paravaginal support abnormalities, while fewer investigated central cystocele configuration, apical-related anterior prolapse, levator-related abnormalities, and hiatal ballooning. Ultrasound techniques were heterogeneous and included transabdominal, introital, transvaginal, and translabial/transperineal approaches, frequently using three-dimensional and four-dimensional imaging. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that anterior compartment prolapse represents a heterogeneous anatomical condition rather than a single entity defined by POP-Q descent alone. Pelvic floor ultrasound may complement clinical examination by providing dynamic information on different components of anterior compartment support, including cystocele configuration, levator ani integrity, and hiatal dimensions. However, the clinical interpretation of several phenotypes remains limited by heterogeneous terminology, variable imaging protocols, and the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, particularly for paravaginal defects and the apical contribution to anterior wall descent. Future research should focus on harmonized ultrasound definitions, reproducible acquisition protocols, and prospective validation against anatomical and clinical outcomes to determine the role of ultrasound-based phenotyping in individualized management.