Halsted's principles

Halsted's principles, also known as Tenets of Halsted, are the basic principles of surgical technique regarding tissue handling.^[1]

These key points were introduced in the late 19th century by William Stewart Halsted, co-founder of Johns Hopkins Hospital.^[2][3]

• Gentle handling of tissue
• Meticulous haemostasis
• Preservation of blood supply
• Strict aseptic technique
• Minimum tension on tissues
• Accurate tissue apposition
• Obliteration of deadspace