[Resection arthroplasty of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb - results of 132 cases].

Background: Resection arthroplasty of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is considered to be the most frequently used surgical treatment for arthrosis of the trapeziometacarpal joint. To avoid proximalisation and to improve stability of the first metacarpal, tendon-sling resectional arthroplasties have gained general approvement. To further simplify surgery, we have used a surgical technique since 1995, that consists in a fixation of the first metacarpal with local capsular tissue.

[Operative treatment in hand infections].

Bacterial infections in the hand may begin slowly after innocent wounds. They may spread rapidly especially following risk wounds. Destruction of anatomical structures causes local defects, severe loss of function and septicemia is possible.

[The BIAX total wrist prosthesis as an alternative to arthrodesis in degenerative and posttraumatic arthritis--early results in twenty-one patients].

The BIAX total wrist prosthesis was first implanted 1983 by Beckenbaugh in the United States. From a total of twenty-one BIAX-prostheses between March 2001 and February 2002, we have inserted eleven in patients for degenerative arthrosis, eight for posttraumatic arthrosis and two for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist. The average age of the patients was 53.

[Metastasizing chondrosarcoma of the pisiform bone: a case report].

We report about a chondrosarcoma of the pisiform in a 39-year-old man. 1.5 years after exstirpation of the tumor, an extended recurrence developed.

[Complex hand injuries].

Most problems in the treatment of complex hand injuries result from not clearly recognizing which structures are destroyed or preserved preoperatively. The plan for treatment depends on priorities. Beginning with reduction and osteosynthesis and after suture of tendons, restoring blood supply is most important.