Antiseptic surgery (Lister)

What was discovered

Applying Pasteur's germ theory, he used carbolic acid on wounds, instruments and dressings, drastically reducing mortality from gangrene and sepsis after open fractures and amputations.

What it led to

• aseptic surgery (sterilisation, gloves, gowns)
• safe elective surgery
• hospitals as places of healing
• abdominal and orthopaedic surgery

Built on

• Ether surgical anaesthesia1846
• Chloroform anaesthesia1847
• Hand hygiene against puerperal fever (Semmelweis)1847
• Germ theory and pasteurization1857-1865
• Pasteur's germ theory
• Semmelweis

Made possible

• surgical autoclave
• modern operating theatre

📄 Original publication

Links