What impact did Lister's methods have on surgical outcomes?

Lister's methods, particularly his introduction of antiseptic techniques, had a profound impact on surgical outcomes by generally improving patient survival rates. Before Lister's antiseptic approach, surgical procedures were highly risky due to the high likelihood of infection from surgical wounds. Lister advocated for the sterilization of surgical instruments and the use of antiseptics, which significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative infections.

His methods led to a marked decline in mortality rates from surgeries that had previously been associated with high levels of infection and complications. As a result, patients were able to recover more successfully and experience fewer complications related to infections. This improvement in surgical outcomes can be seen as a turning point in the field of surgery, which eventually established hygiene and antiseptic practices as standard protocols in medical procedures, thus enhancing patient safety overall.