Historical remarks on Martin Kirschner and the development of the Kirschner (K)-wire

Over decades the K-wire (or Kirschner-wire) has been an extremely versatile tool in the hands of plastic and orthopaedic surgeons who use it for temporary or definitive osteosynthesis, temporary joint transfixation or for guidance for other implants like cannulated screws. The wire is named after a famous German surgeon, Martin Kirschner. He was born on October 28th 1879 in Breslau, (today Wroclaw, Poland). With the exception of his father a solicitor all of his ancestors from the 18th century onwards had treated wounds or become surgeons. When he was 14 years old, Kirschner moved to Berlin. He gained admission to the medical school in Freiburg at his second attempt. His initial failure caused him some disappointment. He later continued his education in Strasbourg (today in France). He finished his pre-clinical studies there with A-grades in all subjects, a unique achievement at the time. He continued his medical training in Strasbourg, and Munich before graduating in 1904.