What development in surgical instruments occurred in the late 19th century?

The introduction of sterile, precision instruments in the late 19th century marked a significant advancement in surgical practice. This period saw the growing understanding of the importance of sterilization in reducing infection rates during surgeries. Surgeons began to prioritize the creation and use of instruments that were not only more refined in their design but also manufactured with materials that could be easily sterilized, such as stainless steel. This focus on precision ensured that instruments allowed for greater surgical accuracy and effectiveness, significantly enhancing surgical outcomes.

In contrast, while electric scalpels, non-invasive techniques, and automated surgical robots are noteworthy advancements in surgery, they came about much later. The electric scalpel was a 20th-century innovation, non-invasive techniques gained traction in the mid to late 20th century, and automated surgical robots are a contemporary development well beyond the late 19th century. Hence, the emphasis on sterilization and precision instruments lays the foundation for modern surgical practices that emerged from this pivotal era.