The history of joint prostheses does not begin before the end of the 19th century. Prior to that, resection arthroplasty of functionally impaired joints was attempted with results sometimes allowing flexion or straightening of a previously immobile joint. These operative methods developed into interposition arthroplasty, which in its turn represents the predecessor of joint implantation. Lower extremity joint implantation is nowadays a well established and rewarding strong hold of orthopaedic and trauma surgeons. Due to certain obstacles specific to the hand, a similar success story for prostheses of the finger joints is still awaited. Although there have been many different designs of finger joint prostheses over the last 50 years, there is still no implant which offers satisfactory and reliable long-term results such as those that we have become accustomed to expect from lower extremity joint allo-arthroplasty. Only recently are we able to speak of an acknowledged standard of PIP-joint allo-arthroplasty. Using the library of the German historical museum of orthopaedic surgery as well as the relevant sources of international medical literature, a survey of the development of finger joint implantation is made.

Burn injuries can be caused by thermal, electrical, chemical, or mechanical trauma or radiation and are relatively rare, as they represent only about 1% of all emergencies. They are caused by accidents at home, during recreational activities, or in the occupational environment. Minor burn traumas are much more common than severe burn injuries with their systemic and potentially life-threatening effects. Altogether, these circumstances may result in a lack of routine for treating such injuries properly by physicians and their colleagues in the emergency room or intensive care unit. A clearly outlined concept for preclinical and clinical treatment can be the keystone of successful further clinical progress. The following article summarizes the current guidelines for first medical aid at the injury scene, burn stabilization and assessment in the emergency room, and the interdisciplinary approach for further clinical care. The treatment of dermatologic emergencies (acute epidermolytic syndromes) or caustic injuries by chemical agents is similar to the treatment of burn victims in many aspects but must be adapted in selected cases.

The conservative treatment of facial wrinkles is an integral part of the growing market for aesthetic surgery. Unfortunately, physicians of any specialty and even nonphysicians tried to occupy this lucrative field without providing serious information and knowledge about a holistic plastic surgical concept, which includes second- and third-step aesthetic surgical procedures when conservative treatment does not suffice. The following article outlines and critically evaluates the current state of knowledge.