Halsted's principles

Halstead's principles are the basic principles of surgical technique. Regarding tissue handling, vascular occlusion etc. If followed, they improve soft tissue surgical success rate.

The principles include:

- Strict asepsis during preparation and surgery.

- Good haemostasis to improve conditions for the procedure and limit infection and deadspace.

- Minimise tissue trauma.

- Surgical judgement ensuring elimination of dead space and adeqate removal of material.

- Minimise surgery time through knowledge of anatomy and technique.

- Correct use of instruments and materials used.