Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) in the presence of patients with previous cesarean section (CS) is becoming increasingly common. When performing TLH in these patients, bladder adhesions to the uterus may make dissection much more difficult with higher complication rates. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of TLH in patients with previous CS in an OBGYN residence program. Retrospective study of all TLH performed at our center for either benign or malignant conditions. Of our study cohort, 40 % had undergone one or more previous CS. Average surgical time was 128 min for patients without previous CS and 136 min for patients with previous CS (p = NS). Conversion to laparotomy was required in 1 % of cases showing no variation between the CS and non-CS groups. The overall complication rate among patients undergoing TLH was 3.5 %. Major complication rate was of 3 % (n=14), 5 cases with previous CS and 9 cases with no previous CS (p = NS). Urologic lesion was the most common major complication, accounting for 1.5 % (n=7) of all cases, 3 cases with previous CS and 4 with no previous CS (p = NS). Of urologic complications, three were cystotomies, 1 with no previous CS and 2 with previous CS (p = NS). TLH in patients with 1 or more previous CS is technically feasible. In the hands of thoroughly trained laparoscopic surgeons using a standardized technique, it is a safe procedure with minimal complication rates and may be even performed by OBGYN residents ensuring the same success rates.

Estetrol (E4), a natural estrogen produced by the human fetal liver, is actively studied for menopause and breast cancer treatment. It has low side effects and preferential estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) affinity. There are no data about its effects on endometriosis, a common gynecological disease affecting 6–10% of cycling women, generating painful pelvic lesions and infertility. Current combined hormone treatment (progestins and estrogens) is safe and efficient; nevertheless, one-third of patients develop progesterone (P4) resistance and recurrence by reducing P4 receptors (PRs) levels. We aimed to compare E4 and 17β-estradiol (E2) effects using two human endometriotic cell lines (epithelial 11Z and stromal Hs832 cells) and primary cultures from endometriotic patients. We evaluated cell growth (MTS), migration (wound assay), hormone receptors levels (Western blot), and P4 response by PCR array. Compared to E2, E4 did not affect cell growth or migration but increased estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and PRs, and reduced ERβ. Finally, the incubation with E4 improved the P4 gene response. In conclusion, E4 increased PRs levels and genetic response without inducing cell growth or migration. These results suggest that E4 might be useful for endometriosis treatment avoiding P4 resistance; however, evaluating its response in more complex models is required.