Surgery and Ayurveda: How Ancient Wisdom Supports Modern Medicine

Surgery has been an essential part of medicine for thousands of years. While modern surgery is highly advanced, many people don't realize that Ayurveda, India's ancient medical system, had a strong surgical tradition as well. Today, some doctors are working to combine Ayurvedic wisdom with modern surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes.

Ancient Ayurvedic Surgery: The Legacy of Sushruta

More than 2,500 years ago, Acharya Sushruta, known as the Father of Surgery, wrote the Sushruta Samhita, which described:

• Over 300 types of surgeries (including plastic surgery and cataract removal).
• More than 120 surgical instruments made from natural materials.
• Techniques for wound healing and post-surgical care that are still used today.

Some of his methods, like skin grafting, stitching wounds, and removing kidney stones, were revolutionary and similar to modern surgical techniques.

Modern Ayurvedic Surgeons and Their Contributions

1. Dr. P.J. Deshpande - Master of Ksharasutra Therapy

Dr. P.J. Deshpande is a well-known Ayurvedic surgeon who helped develop Ksharasutra Therapy - an Ayurvedic technique for treating piles, fistulas, and other anorectal diseases.

• Ksharasutra is a medicated herbal thread that is used in place of surgical cutting. It removes the diseased tissue slowly and naturally, without major surgery.
• This technique is now approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and has been widely accepted in proctology.
• Many hospitals and modern surgeons now combine Ksharasutra with modern proctology to offer less painful, safer treatments.

2. Dr. K.N. Udupa - Ayurveda's Contribution to Organ Transplants

Dr. K.N. Udupa, a senior Ayurvedic surgeon from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), played a major role in integrating Ayurvedic medicine with modern surgery, especially in organ transplant recovery.

• He researched how Ayurvedic herbs can help in faster healing after organ transplants.
• He found that certain Ayurvedic medicines, like Guduchi and Ashwagandha, help in reducing organ rejection.
• He promoted the idea that combining Ayurveda with modern medicine can help patients recover faster and improve immunity.

3. Dr. G.G. Gangadharan - Ayurveda in Wound Healing and Cancer Surgery

Dr. G.G. Gangadharan has contributed to wound healing research and cancer surgery support.

• He has studied how Ayurvedic herbs like turmeric, neem, and aloe vera can help heal wounds faster after surgery.
• He works with modern doctors to use Ayurvedic dietary and lifestyle changes for better recovery after cancer surgeries.

How Ayurveda Helps in Modern Surgery

Even though modern surgery has advanced a lot, Ayurveda still has valuable contributions that can improve pre-surgery preparation, healing, and recovery.

• Faster Wound Healing - Herbs like turmeric, aloe vera, and neem prevent infections and speed up healing.
• Pain Management - Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha and Brahmi reduce stress and pain after surgery.
• Organ Transplant Recovery - Rasayana therapy and herbs like Guduchi help in reducing organ rejection.
• Ksharasutra - A Natural Alternative to Surgery - Used for piles and fistula treatment with fewer side effects.
• Ayurvedic Diet and Lifestyle for Recovery - Light, easy-to-digest foods and yoga help post-surgical recovery.

Conclusion

Surgery has come a long way from the time of Sushruta, but Ayurvedic principles are still valuable today. Thanks to modern Ayurvedic surgeons like Dr. P.J. Deshpande, Dr. K.N. Udupa, and others, Ayurveda continues to contribute to better healing, post-surgical care, and alternative treatments. The future of medicine lies in integrating Ayurveda with modern science, making surgery safer, recovery faster, and overall health better.