Abstract

A GLIMPSE OF CONTRIBUTIONS OF ACHARYA SUSHRUTA IN SURGERY

Dr. Monika Guleria* and Dr. Kuldeep. R. Choudhary

ABSTRACT

Sushruta Samhita describes the ancient tradition of surgery in India and is considered as one of the brilliant gems in ancient Indian medical literature. This treatise contains detailed descriptions of way of teaching and practice of surgery by our great ancient surgeon, Acharya Sushruta, who had wide knowledge of surgery which has got relevance even in today‟s modern practice of surgery and other related surgical and medical branches. Sushruta was the famous surgeon of Kashi, known as Banaras. He used to teach and practice around 600 BC. and has made significant contributions to various branches of medicine. Sushruta Samhita written by him is the foundation of Indian traditional system of medicine and it contains 186 chapters in which he has given description of 1120 diseases, 700 medicinal plants, 64 preparations from mineral sources and 57 from animal sources. He has given precise description of method of dissection, preservation of Cadaver, types of suturing and suture material used, Yantra-Shastra (instruments), minor and major operative procedures, Bhagna (fracture and dislocation), Kaumarbhritya (paediatrics), Twaka Vikara (skin diseases), Panchkarma, and many more in addition to his well known work of plastic surgery. Sushruta Samhita is considered as the landmark in the field of surgery and Acharya Sushruta is glorified as “Father of Indian Surgery”. He performed surgeries in the era when no diagnostic facilities were available. Probably, it was his wide knowledge of basic science which made him such a versatile surgeon. The list of his contributions is never ending. In this review an attempt has been made to highlight the ancient surgical concepts of Sushruta Samhita which are being practiced even today with same basic principles but after modifications and amendments.

Keywords: Sushruta, Shalya, Shastra karma, Surgery.