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Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -II)):p 406-408, July-Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.97
Review Article
Joseph Lister and Revolution of Antiseptic Surgery
Nayan Warthi, Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Kaithi Pavani R.
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -II)):p 406-408, July-Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.97
How Cite This Article:
Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Kaithi Pavani R., et al. Contribution of Joseph Lister and Revolution of Antiseptic Surgery. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 406-408.Timeline
Received : December 02, 2025
Accepted : December 25, 2025
Published : December 30, 2025
Abstract
Joseph Lister (1827–1912), a pioneering British surgeon of the 19th century, transformed the practice of surgery through the introduction of antiseptic techniques. Before the mid-19th century, hospital wards were often called “houses of death” due to septic infections like gangrene, erysipelas, and sepsis. Surgical procedures were done without knowledge of microbes, and survival depended largely on luck. Joseph Lister emerged as a transformative figure by applying scientific reasoning to clinical practice, ultimately establishing the foundations of modern antiseptic and aseptic surgery. Building on Louis Pasteur’s germ theory, Lister recognized that microorganisms were responsible for postoperative infections and implemented carbolic acid as a disinfectant in wound care, surgical instruments, and operating environments. His methods drastically reduced surgical mortality rates and laid the foundation for modern aseptic and sterile procedures. This paper highlights Lister’s early influences, his key scientific contributions, the challenges he faced from skeptical contemporaries, and the profound impact of his work on human physiology, paediatric care, and overall surgical safety. Lister’s legacy remains central in shaping the standards of global healthcare, demonstrating the enduring value of scientific persistence and innovation.
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Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
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Cite this article
Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Siddheshwar A., Kaithi Pavani R., et al. Contribution of Joseph Lister and Revolution of Antiseptic Surgery. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 406-408.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| December 02, 2025 | December 25, 2025 | December 30, 2025 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.97
Keywords
Pastures Germ TheoryCarbolic acidSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | December 02, 2025 |
| Accepted | December 25, 2025 |
| Published | December 30, 2025 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
