gms | German Medical Science

180 years ago Reisinger for the first time published the idea of his teacher Himly concerning experimental transplanting of corneal tissue. In our time this problem has practically been resolved. Much due to the late Academician V.P. Filatov (1875-1956)-"one of the most famous ophthalmologists that Russia has produced" (Brit.J.Ophthalm. 1975, 59, 461). He was a pioneer ophthalmologist in corneal transplantation (CT) using preserved corneas and observing the clearing of corneal leukoma after repeated (CT). Filatov made his first lamellar keratopasty (KP) on Feb. 28, 1912. A corneal graft transplant opacified, but the patient did not receive improvement of sight. In 1927 Filatov conceived a method for fixating the corneal transplant by means of a conjunctival flap. In 1933 he demonstrated how important lamellar (KP) may be when employed as a preparatory, meliorating operation in cases of coarsely cicatrized leucomas. In 1934 Filatov in collaboration with Martsinkovsky designed the trephine FM - I, and in 1936 offered new techniques of partial penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) (by using the FM - III trephine). He very much simplified operating methods and made them safer. In 1935 for the first time ever he succeeded in carrying out Elschnig's idea about partial (PKP) following a preliminary subtotal (KP) - which was called reconstructive (KP).The more ambitious operation of transplantation of the anterior segment of the eye was even attempted by Filatov in 1935. He developed the technique for total lamellar (KP) (1937,1945). In 1947 together with Bushmich he offered a classification of leucomas according to their indications for (KP). On August 2, 1949 he personally performed his one thousandth (CT) operation. By 1935 Filatov had resolved a limiting problem of insufficient transplant material by proving the viability of using eyes removed from cadavers and then preserved at 3-4 degrees C. The eyes are enucleated within 2-3 hours before the body was taken to the morgue or while in the morgue, i.e., within a few hours after the person died. The corneas were used within 20-56 hours after death. This same technique is used today in many countries. Although others may have preceded him with individual case reports, Filatov is credited with popularizing the use of cadaveric corneas for (CT).