The History of Surgical Asepsis

ABSTRACT

The paper aims to analyze the history of surgical asepsis and its evolution in the history of medical science. The paper also discusses the work that has been done by several of theorists and physicians and how the surgical equipments are evolved in the surgical practice with the passage of time. The history of asepsis starts from the 19th century. Many physicians and theorist have played a vital role in promoting the preventive measures of infectious diseases such as Ignaz Philipp, Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, Gustave Neuber, Johann von Mikulicz and William Halsted. The paper also discusses the pre-operative preparation of the patient considering hygiene as a main aspect where the surgical incision will occur.

The History of Surgical Asepsis

Introduction

Asepsis is a term derived from the Greek word and indicates a series of procedures designed to prevent the entry of microorganisms, pathogens and not to a sterile substrate of nature or sterilized artificially. In medical parlance, preventive method of surgical infections, consisting in the use of tools and materials for dressings (bandages, gauze, etc.). It is also referred to the sterilized steam and dry heat.

This is the practice of aseptic technique, developed in the mid-19th century. In order to reduce or eliminate the presence of contaminants (viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi) that can cause infections during surgical procedures. It makes the use of sterilized instruments with different techniques such as (steam, dry heat, UV rays, and gas).

Discussion

History

The great physicians of antiquity by Hippocrates from Celsus to Galen, knowing identified the infection as a disease entity that does not know the causes and therefore had no idea either disinfection or asepsis. It was sensed that some epidemics, now known to infectious, and it could be avoided by removing the people from the cities that are affected or ...