Paul Sullivan: catalyst in the history and use of intraocular sulfur hexafluoride.

Abstract

The use of air to attempt to reattach the retina dates back to 1909. However, despite the widespread use of intraocular air in the 1950s and 1960s, retinal surgeons struggled with the main limitation of the device (ie, the relatively short duration of the gas within the vitreous cavity). Fortuitous events in the late 1960s allowed Paul Sullivan, MD, to introduce the first expansile gas, sulfur hexafluoride, to Edward W.D. Norton, MD, and his colleagues at the University of Miami. The use of sulfur hexafluoride helped revolutionize retinal detachment surgery and allowed for further advances in treating other posterior segment diseases.

• Authors: Christopher F Blodi
• Journal: Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging retina (Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina) Vol. 46 Issue 1 Pg. 141-5 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 2325-8179 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25559529 (Publication Type: Biography, Historical Article, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.

Chemical References

• Sulfur Hexafluoride

Topics

• Endotamponade (history)
• History, 20th Century
• History, 21st Century
• Humans
• Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures (history)
• Retinal Detachment (history, surgery)
• Sulfur Hexafluoride (history)
• United States