Resume

1984–1990 | Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
1991–1992 | Military Hospital of Nicosia, Cyprus
1992–1993 | Agios Pavlos General Hospital, Thessaloniki – General Surgery
1993–1994 | Santorini Health Center – Rural General Practitioner
1994–1997 | General Hospital of Serres – Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology

1998–1999 | Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
Postgraduate Training in Gynecological Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

1999–2000 | Ippokrateio General Hospital, Thessaloniki – Obstetrics and Gynecology

2001 Germany | 2002 Belgium | 2005 Austria
Advanced Training in Gynecological Endoscopy with a Fellowship from the European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (ESGE)

2004 | PhD in Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Thesis Title: Hysteroscopic evaluation of the endometrium in postmenopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy

Trainer in Gynecological Endoscopy, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (until 2008), ESGE since 2002, EBCOG Congress, Antwerp (2010)

Specialization

Training in Gynecological Endoscopy at the Royal Free Hospital, London, UK (1998)

After my application, I was accepted for a 6-month fellowship at the Royal Free University Hospital, London, UK, from February to August 1998. During this period, I actively participated in all the activities of the gynecology clinic, under the direction of Mr. A. Magos. These activities covered the entire spectrum of classical gynecological surgery, with particular emphasis on endoscopic procedures, ranging from basic to high-level surgical execution, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) training levels I-III.

The training included daily execution of endoscopic (laparoscopic and hysteroscopic) procedures of varying complexity, initially under the guidance of the clinic director and later independently (on average, 10 procedures per day). The range of endoscopic procedures included laparoscopic cystectomy, management of endometriosis, fibroids, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic adhesions, and inflammation, as well as laparoscopic hysterectomy. Regarding hysteroscopy, the clinic is globally pioneering in endometrial destruction and the resolution of intrauterine adhesions, procedures which are classified as stage IV in terms of difficulty and execution. Hysteroscopic myomectomy, polypectomy, and the management of congenital uterine anomalies were part of the daily routine.

Additionally, during my training, I participated in organizing educational seminars on endoscopic surgery and seminars for performing "advanced" vaginal procedures (vaginal hysterectomy for large uterus without prolapse and with concurrent adnexal removal) by the clinic. I was a co-organizer of endoscopy seminars in the outpatient department, where I was initially a trainee and later a practical instructor for participants (who came from around the world and were mainly specialist obstetricians-gynecologists). Special emphasis was placed on outpatient hysteroscopy and the creation of a clinic for the management of menstrual disorders and infertility investigation, in a "one-stop menstrual problem clinic" session held three times a week. These types of clinics have now become prevalent in all European countries and are very popular.

At the same time, I actively participated in the clinical research work of the clinic, as well as in the regular outpatient obstetrics clinics and high-risk pregnancies three times a week.

Postgraduate Training in Gynecological Endoscopy with a Fellowship from the European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (ESGE)

In November 2001, I was awarded the European Prize in Gynecological Endoscopy (an annual award for gynecologists under 40 with a special interest in endoscopic surgery from all over Europe) following a process (evaluation and assessment by a three-member committee) designated by the E.S.G.E. (50 candidates from Europe). The award included intensive training in all levels of Gynecological Endoscopy, including vaginal hysterectomy for large or fibroid uterus, as well as radical abdominal, vaginal, or laparoscopic gynecological procedures.

Specifically, this involved intensive training in all levels of gynecological endoscopy at recognized European centers in Germany and Belgium from March 2002 to June 2002 - Cologne University Clinic, Prof. M. Possover, training in laparoscopic hysterectomy, management of deep endometriosis, laparoscopic procedures combined with classical or newer gynecological oncology procedures such as trachelectomy and laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, radical vaginal hysterectomy; University Clinic Düsseldorf, Dr. F. De Bruyne, training in laparoscopic neocervix creation—Vecchietti procedure—for Rokitansky syndrome; Endoscopy Center at Wuppertal, Ruhr University (Bochum), Prof. Hucke, training in all levels of gynecological endoscopy and classical gynecological surgery; training in diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy at St. Jan Hospital in Brussels under Dr. Y. Van Belle (Chairman of Hysteroscopy for E.S.G.E.); and training in Leuven, Belgium, at the Institute for Embryology and Fertility, focusing on hysteroscopy and hydro-laparoscopy, where this center is a pioneer, under Prof. S. Gordts and Dr. R. Campo.

Along with this fellowship, I was awarded a grant of €10,000 and a set of diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy tools for the outpatient clinic and the operating room. Additionally, due to my specialization and particular interest in gynecological endoscopy, I participate in a European Union training program for the title of Hysteroscopy Trainer, accredited by the E.S.G.E.

Furthermore, I am involved in the Continuing Education Program of the European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (ESGE Academy) for performing advanced laparoscopic surgery, in collaboration with Professor Jorg Keckstein (Chairman of Laparoscopy) at the University of Villach, Austria (visit-workshop from June 12-19, 2005, focusing on the surgical management of deep endometriosis).

During this last period of advanced training, I had the opportunity to observe and participate in over 40 specialized gynecological surgeries, such as: laparoscopic management of deep endometriosis with bowel resection and anastomosis, laser laparoscopy for deep endometriosis and adenomyosis, laparoscopic hysterectomy (LASH, TLH, LAVH), laparoscopic myomectomy.

In December 2005, I participated in an advanced seminar and workshop on operative hysteroscopy in the outpatient clinic without anesthesia: (use of 5mm hysteroscopic tools for the resection or removal of endometrial polyps, submucosal fibroids up to 2 cm, intrauterine adhesions, and intrauterine septa, in the outpatient clinic without anesthesia). The training also included the use of the bipolar electrode (Versapoint) in the outpatient hysteroscopy clinic. Simultaneously, training was provided in operative laparoscopy focused on benign pathology of the uterus and adnexa, as well as techniques for safe trocar entry into the peritoneal cavity.

Moreover, in addition to being a member of the Greek and European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (ESGE), I am an active member of the American Association of Laparoscopic Gynecologists, the PAX Society, and the Hellenic Representative Committee of the RCOG.

Publications

I. Stamatellos, A. Apostolidis, P. Stamatopoulos, J. Bontis. (2008) Pregnancy rates after hysteroscopic polypectomy depending on the size or number of the polyps, Archives of gynecology and obstetrics. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17851673/ I. Stamatellos and J. Bontis. (2007) Hysteroscopic myomectomy - European clinics in obstetrics and gynaecology, SpringerLink. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11296-007-0061-1 I. Stamatellos, P. Stamatopoulos, J. Bontis. (2007) The role of hysteroscopy in the current management of the cervical polyps, Archives of gynecology and obstetrics. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17653740/ I. Stamatellos , G. Koutsougeras, D. Karamanidis, P. Stamatopoulos, I. Timpanidis, J Bontis. (2007) Results after hysteroscopic management of premenopausal patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding or intrauterine lesions, Clinical and experimental obstetrics & gynecology. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17447635/ I. Stamatellos, A. Apostolides, A. Tantsis, P. Stamatopouos,J. Bontis. (2006) Fertility rates after hysteroscopic treatment of submucous myomas depending on their type - gynecological surgery, SpringerOpen. Available at: https://gynecolsurg.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s10397-006-0207-z I. Stamatellos, E. Anagnostou, P. Stamatopoulos, J. Bontis. (2006) Unrecognized spontaneous bilateral ampullary pregnancy treated by laparoscopy - gynecological surgery, SpringerOpen. Available at: https://gynecolsurg.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s10397-006-0194-0 I. Stamatellos, C. Karydas, E. Anagnostou, P. Stamatopoulos, A. Apostolidis, J. Bontis. (2006) Laparoscopic treatment of premenopausal patients with benign adnexal pathology - gynecological surgery, SpringerOpen. Available at: https://gynecolsurg.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s10397-005-0162-0 I. Stamatellos, P. Stamatopoulos, D. Rousso, E. Asimakopoulos, C. Stamatopoulos & I. Bontis. (2005) Investigation of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women by hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy - gynecological surgery, SpringerOpen. Available at: https://gynecolsurg.springeropen.com/articles/10.1007/s10397-004-0076-2 A. Apostolodis, C. Karidas, A. Tantsis, I. Stamatellos, S. Pepes, A. Athanasiadis, J. Bontis. (2005) Fetal Megacystis at 10-14 weeks of gestation associated with normal nuchal translucency and normal karyotype: A case report, The Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Available at: https://ispub.com/IJGO/6/1/3507