[On the history of cementless implants in extremity surgery]. / Über die Historie zementfreier Implantate in der Extremitätenchirurgie.

The aim of implantation of cementless hip prostheses is vital ingrowth of bone into the structured metal surface of the implant. Since the 1960s several implants with surfaces made of cobalt-based alloys have been produced for this purpose. In the 1980s a novel hip endoprosthesis with a spongiosa-metal surface was introduced. The three-dimensional ingrowth of bone tissue into the structured surface of the implant could be demonstrated both histologically and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These implants made of cobalt-based alloys can also be used in endo-exo prostheses. Titanium implants with a microstructured surface have also been used and very good osseintegration of the surface was also demonstrated by histomorphology. The optimization of the surface and design of the prostheses plays an increasingly more important role in the field of revision endoprostheses.

[History of internal fixators. The subsequent importance for spinal surgery]. / Geschichte des Fixateur interne. Seine spätere Bedeutung für die Wirbelsäulenchirurgie.

BACKGROUND: This article presents a retrospective look at spinal implants of the 1970s and 1980s. OBJECTIVE: The historical development of internal fixators as the successor to external fixators. MECHANICAL PRINCIPLE: Pedicled screws are stably anchored in vertebral bodies of the thoracic or lumbar spine or the sacrum using a dorsal approach. They are joined by a rod as a longitudinal support, separated by freely selectable distances and in any desirable and initially modifiable angle. After locking this results in an angular and rotationally stable completely sunken bilateral construction for fixing two or more vertebrae together and the position can be manually adjusted using long lever arms on the pedicled screws. RESULTS: The first in vivo application in humans was on 22 December 1982 in Basel. The initial indications were unstable spinal fractures. The expectations placed on the new working principle of internal fixation and its realization were confirmed and short stretch fixation exclusively of the neighboring vertebra and immediate mobilization of patients could be routinely achieved. The indications were extended to include instability of the spine for conditions outside the field of traumatology. Further developments of implants and other technical solutions in the coupling system using the same basic principle in the direction of multisegmental applications, ease of operation and titanium-based materials became internationally established and were developed into universal spinal stabilization systems for spinal degeneration, deformities, tumors and olisthesis. CONCLUSION: The basic principle of spinal fixators (internal and external) is contained in the complete product range of dorsal stabilizing implants from practically all manufacturers worldwide and has become taken for granted.

[History of vertebral body replacement]. / Geschichte des Wirbelkörperersatzes.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral body replacement after corpectomy is nowadays a standard procedure in spinal surgery. OBJECTIVE: Description of the developmental process of vertebral body replacement. METHOD: Historical description of the innovations in vertebral body replacement. RESULTS: The first serious attempts to perform vertebral body replacement were initiated approximately 50 years ago. Over several decades spinal surgeons used bone grafts, polymethyl methacrylate, titanium and glass-ceramics containing apatite and wollastonite. Known vertebral surgeons, including Scoville, Polster, Kaneda and Harms, to name but a few, were involved in the continuous development of vertebral body replacement. CONCLUSION: Many different expandable and non-expandable implants are now available and both types of implant can still be justified. This article describes the historical development of these implants and shows how this innovational process has significantly increased the therapy options for surgeons.

Early endovascular grafts at Montefiore Hospital and their effect on vascular surgery.

Vascular surgery is very fortunate. It recognized the transition from open surgery to endovascular procedures as treatments for vascular disease early enough to adapt as a specialty. As a result, most vascular surgeons in North America became competent with endovascular techniques, and the survival of the specialty was assured. The endovascular graft program at Montefiore Hospital played a major role in vascular surgery's early recognition of the importance of the endovascular revolution. This article will review the history of this early endovascular graft program and how it influenced the specialty.

The osteo-odonto-kerato prosthesis. A collaborative venture between ophthalmic and oral surgeons.

The collaborative work between dentistry and ophthalmology in developing the osteo-odonto-kerato prosthesis to restore sight in badly damaged eyes.

[Amputation and equipment of the lower limb during the Revolution and the Empire]. / Amputation et appareillage du membre inférieur pendant la Révolution et l'Empire.

During the French Revolution and Napoleon's campaigns, above-knee or below-knee amputations were performed either immediately or with a delay, which favoured septic problems. A rapidly operated amputation by a well-trained surgeon was the best way to save the life of a soldier who suffered from an open comminuted fracture of a limb. The conditions on military campaigns were indeed hard ones: doctors and surgeons had practically no resources and the transportation of severely injured persons was difficult. Such conditions favoured the pain and the danger caused by an injury, and it was rather impossible for the medical corps to lavish repeated treatments on the wounds. The amputated soldiers were then given prostheses: either a traditional peg-leg, with a flexed knee joint for trans-tibial amputations, or an "imitative" prosthesis, which tended to look like a real leg with eventually an articulated knee or foot. The author mentions famous or unrecognized amputated men, describing significant events.

Limb amputations from the ancient times to the present.

Amputations, or the removal of limbs at different levels, have been performed since the ancient times. The first reports of amputations originate from the ancient ruins in Egypt, where primitive prosthetic toes were found in the tombs of the Pharaohs. In Europe, during the period of ancient Greece and Rome, various examples of amputations were described on amphoras and mosaics. During the middle ages, the body was marginalized and replaced by the worship of human spirituality. As a result reports of amputations from that time period are scarce. True development of amputation and prosthetic techniques took place during the Renaissance and centuries that followed. Present-day indications for amputation are similar to those utilized in the ancient times. The greatest development of limb amputation techniques and prosthetic methods began in the 20th century and continues to this day. Despite the development of new techniques in prosthetics, many solutions have their roots in designs originating in the ancient times and differ only in their structural design.

[Historical aspects of eye prosthetics].

The article is devoted to the problems of eye prosthetics that develops since ancient times till today. Indications for eye prosthesis and its role in rehabilitation of anophthalmic patients are determined. The process of glass prostheses production is described in details, technology is discussed and illustrated. This article is of great interest for opthalmologists and prosthetic technicians as it is proved that glass prostheses are more physiologic and have a number of advantages compared to plasticones.

Nina Braunwald: The First Female Cardiothoracic Surgeon.

Dr Nina Braunwald is celebrated for her work as the first female cardiothoracic surgeon and her key role in the design and implementation of the first prosthetic mitral valve. She began her residency at Bellevue Hospital in 1952, a time in the United States where the scope of women's work was limited. Once her training took her to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), her historic flexible leaflet valve was developed and Dr Braunwald paved an innovative step toward the advanced prostheses of today. Afterward, she was recognized by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery in 1963. Her extensive research and educational passion for cardiothoracic surgery led to numerous publications, a leadership role with the NIH, and associate professorship at University of California San Diego and Harvard; leaving behind a significant legacy to be memorialized in awards and fellowships to women in academic cardiac surgery. Her work inspired continued evolution of the prosthetic valve and countless women to pursue surgery as a career before passing away in 1992, leaving behind a new generation of women surgeons. Despite her successful career, she was never promoted to full professor by her academic institutions.

Biographical sketch: Themistocles Gluck (1853-1942).

This biographical sketch on Themistocles Gluck corresponds to the historic text, The Classic: Report on the positive results obtained by the modern surgical experiment regarding the suture and replacement of defects of superior tissue, as well as the utilization of re-absorbable and living tamponade in surgery (1891), available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-011-1837-7 .