[70 years traumatotherapy in the Viennese University Departments (author's transl)]

On the 3rd of November, 1909 both Surgical Departments of Vienna University, each opened an emergency casually ward. It was the first time in Europe, indeed probably in the whole world, that a special position had been accorded to traumatotherapy. Eiselsberg and Hochenegg are honoured as the founders of accident surgery. Although space was extremely restricted remarkable therapeutic results were achieved, whilst teaching and scientific research flourished. The number of patients and the attendant organizational problems rose continuously. Special mention is made of the great number of patients with heart wounds who could be saved owing to the perfect organization of a "cardiac alarm" system introduced at this unit from the earliest days. After a survey of the conservative and operative treatment of fractures, the transformation of both emergency wards into independent departments in 1976 is described. Interdisciplinary teamwork of all surgical departments at Vienna University is emphasized as a special merit of the clinical traumatotherapy units.