Final answer:
Surgical asepsis refers to the protocols used to maintain sterility in medical settings to prevent infections, with methods including sterilization, disinfection, and rigorous cleanliness introduced by Joseph Lister.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surgical asepsis is a set of strict protocols to maintain sterility during medical procedures. The objective of surgical asepsis is to create and maintain a sterile field, preventing contamination with microbes and infectious agents, thus significantly reducing the risk of iatrogenic and nosocomial diseases. This approach encompasses the use of sterilized materials like surgical instruments, strict handwashing, and the application of disinfectants like carbolic acid, introduced by Joseph Lister in the 19th century.
Examples of surgical asepsis include the use of sterilized medical equipment for procedures inside the body, high-level disinfection for semicritical items that come into contact with mucous membranes, and cleanliness for noncritical items such as furniture and blood pressure cuffs. Advanced aseptic techniques also include vacuum-assisted closure to remove fluids from surgical sites and specific antimicrobial treatments, such as penicillin, to prevent bacterial infections like gas gangrene.