What significant medical advancement did Joseph Lister develop in 1867?

Joseph Lister is widely regarded as a pioneer in the field of surgical safety due to his development of antiseptic surgical methods in 1867. His groundbreaking work introduced the concept of using antiseptics to prevent infection during surgical procedures. Prior to Lister's innovations, surgical conditions were often contaminated with bacteria, leading to high rates of postoperative infections and mortality.

Lister’s technique involved using carbolic acid (phenol) as a disinfectant to clean surgical instruments and to sterilize the surgical site and the hands of the surgeons. His methods greatly reduced the incidence of infections and revolutionized surgical practice, forming the foundation for modern aseptic techniques. As a result, patient outcomes improved significantly, and this advancement laid the groundwork for further developments in medical hygiene and infection control.

The other choices, while significant in their own right, do not pertain to Lister's contributions. Vaccination techniques were primarily established by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century, advanced imaging technology evolved much later with the invention of X-rays and MRI, and modern anesthesia was developed throughout the 19th century, notably by figures such as William Morton, but not by Lister himself. Thus, the recognition of Lister's influence specifically pertains to antiseptic methods