[Scars of the soul--wounds of the body: plastic surgery and psychotherapy].

With the example of two case reports of chronic wounds the connection between somatic and psycho-social factors is shown on the basis of the biopsycho-social model of disease. Both in aetiology as well as in therapy the dilemma of "somatic OR psychic" can thereby be solved. The inclusion of psychotherapeutic interventions in conservative or surgical strategies increases the probability of healing.