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The incidence of terrorist attacks is increasing worldwide, and they have also become a permanent threat in European cities. Due to its complexity, terrorist attack trauma places high demands on the strategy of surgical treatment. The combination of various mechanisms, explosions and gunshot injuries, with the characteristic pressure (blast) damage and a high proportion of penetrating trauma with simultaneous burns are characteristic features. Unlike in military conflicts, injuries to people of all ages and without ballistic body protection (body armor) are to be expected. The mechanism of the attack and its local conditions are of relevance for the assessment of the situation and the expected injury patterns. Thus, suicide attacks result in several times higher numbers of fatalities and casualties. Explosions on free ground lead to different types of injury than those in closed or semi-enclosed spaces. The treatment principles of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) are based on the intrahospital care of casualties as well as damage control strategies with trigger factors. In order to prepare and educate clinics and surgeons in Germany for such scenarios, various course formats of the professional societies, the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV) and the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU) have now been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burns are classified according to the depth of the burn wound and extent of affected burned body surface area. In deep second degree and higher grade burns the epidermis and skin appendages are destroyed so that healing can only take place with severe scarring. In these cases necrectomy and skin grafting are recommended. Extensive and deep burns should be treated at specialized centers and more precise criteria for this are laid down in the guidelines. Emergency room treatment protocols have improved the quality of admission and treatment. Concomitant injuries need to be diagnosed and treated early. In addition to the damage to the skin the subsequent burn disease with massive accumulation of interstitial fluid determines the prognosis. The circulation is stabilized and the risk of infection is controlled by intensive fluid management, early necrectomy and split thickness skin grafting. Modern sedation and ventilation management allows a more rapid convalescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One symptom of Borderline personality disorder is self inflicting behavior, especially cuts and thermal injuries in the upper extremity. Due to the complex underlying psychiatric disease, surgical treatment of these injuries can be tedious and frustrating; therefore it is sometimes necessary to differ from classical plastic surgery principals and to favorite a more conservative approach. In every case, close cooperation with psychiatrist is inalienable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]