SUSHRUTA
Father of Ancient Surgery
Acharya “Sushruta” was an ancient Ayurvedic surgeon and is the author of the book Sushruta Samhita, in which he describes over 300 surgical procedures and 120 surgical instruments and classifies human surgery in 8 categories. He lived, taught and practiced his art on the banks of the Ganges in the area that corresponds to the present day city of Varanasi in North-India.
Acharya Sushruta also wrote on medicine, pathology, anatomy, midwifery, ophthalmology, biology and hygiene. From the available records, it is evident that major abdominal operations were carried out by “Sushruta” in ancient days. Surgical procedures for anal fistula, fractures, extraction of foetus in abnormal presentation, amputation, excision of tumours, removal of vesical calculi, repair of hernia, laparotomy, management of intestinal obstruction / perforated intestines and couching of cataract were well described in Sushruta Samhita and performed by the Acharya “Sushruta”. Rhinoplasty (surgery to repair or reshape the nose) was commonly performed for restoration of severed or cut noses. He carried out plastic surgery, giving his patients a new nose or a new ear by the process of skin grafting.
Sushruta took surgery in medieval India to admirable heights and that era was later regarded as The Golden Age of Surgery in ancient India. Because of his numerous seminal contributions to the science and art of surgery in India, he is regarded as the 'Father of Indian Surgery' and the 'Father of Indian Plastic Surgery'.
Acharya Sushruta also wrote on medicine, pathology, anatomy, midwifery, ophthalmology, biology and hygiene. From the available records, it is evident that major abdominal operations were carried out by “Sushruta” in ancient days. Surgical procedures for anal fistula, fractures, extraction of foetus in abnormal presentation, amputation, excision of tumours, removal of vesical calculi, repair of hernia, laparotomy, management of intestinal obstruction / perforated intestines and couching of cataract were well described in Sushruta Samhita and performed by the Acharya “Sushruta”. Rhinoplasty (surgery to repair or reshape the nose) was commonly performed for restoration of severed or cut noses. He carried out plastic surgery, giving his patients a new nose or a new ear by the process of skin grafting.
Sushruta took surgery in medieval India to admirable heights and that era was later regarded as The Golden Age of Surgery in ancient India. Because of his numerous seminal contributions to the science and art of surgery in India, he is regarded as the 'Father of Indian Surgery' and the 'Father of Indian Plastic Surgery'.
ARUN AYURVEDA
