The definition of an ideal surgeon according to the great father of Surgery Acharya Sushruta is “A person who possesses courage and presence of mind, tremor less grip of sharp and good instruments and who carries his operations to the success and advantage of his patient who has entrusted his life to the surgeon. The surgeon should respect this, and absolute surrender and treat his patient as his own son.”
Surgery forms a major role in general medical training. The ancient surgical science was known as Shalya Tantra. Shalya means broken arrow or a sharp part of a weapon and Tantra means techniques. Shalya Tantra consists of all processes, aiming at the removal of factors responsible for producing pain or misery to the body or mind. Since warfare was common then, the injuries sustained led to the development of surgery as refined scientific skill.
The Rigveda - the earliest account of ancient Indian civilization - mentions that Ashwini Kumaras are known as Dev Vaidya were the chief surgeons of Vedic periods, who had performed rare legendary surgical operations which included the first plastic surgery to re-join the head and trunk of saint Chyavana when Dakshya cut his head. Their other classic work included an eye operation of Reejashva, the implantation of teeth of Phushna in the toothless mouth, and the transplant of head of elephant on Ganesh whose head was cut by Lord Shiva. They transplanted an iron leg on Bispala - the wife of King Khela who lost her leg in war. Ashwini Kumaras had performed both homo- and hetro-transplantation during the very the ancient time of Rigveda which is estimated about 5000 years ago; such miraculous magical surgical skill of the Rigvedic period may seem mere legends or mystery to modern medical sciences. The surgical skill has traversed through the ages ranging from the Ashwini Kumaras, Chavana, Dhanvantari through Atreya Agnivesh and Shushruta. Craniotomy and brain surgery were also practiced in a more sophisticated way.
They do reflect some special surgical skills which laid down the foundation of Ayurveda - the fifth Indian Veda, the classical medical system of India. However, the realistic and systematic earliest compendium of medical science of India was compiled by Charak in Charak Samhita. It describes the work of ancient medical practitioners such as Acharya Atreya and Acharya Agnivesh of 800 BC and contains the Principle of Ayurveda. It remained the standard textbook of Ayurveda for almost for 2000 years. They were followed by Sushruta, a specialist in cosmetic, plastic, and dental surgery (Sandhan Karma around 600BC).
Complicated surgeries such as cesarean, cataract, artificial limb, fractures, urinary stones plastic surgery, and procedures including per- and post-operative treatment along with complications written in Sushrutaa Samhita, which is considered to be a part of Atharva Veda, are surprisingly applicable even in the present time.
Shalya Chikitsa for Specific Diseases
Shalya Chikitsa used for many diseases especially for ano-rectal problems such as; hemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano and pile, etc.
Role in Arsha (piles), bhagandar (fistula-in-ano)
Arsha can be managed effectively with the help of Kshara Karma and Shastra Karma. The Shastra Karma and bandaging techniques helps in early healing of Arsha and reduces reoccurrence chances. Shalya Chikitsa when used with suturing technique in Arsha then it helps to control discharge, reduces burning sensation, cure itching and suppress pain. Kshar sutra prevents discharge and improves natural healing process.
In the same way, now a days AGNIKARMA (heat therapy) and VIDDHAKARMA (acupuncture) has also gained lot more public attension and patients are getting fabulous results in conditions like corn, papillomas, warts, tags, condition like severe pain, sciatica, frozen shoulder, cervical and lumbar spondylosis, etc.
JALOUKA (leech therapy) is highly used in acute and chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, acned-pimples, eczema, varicose veins, baldness and hairfall condition where there is specially Rakta dhatu dhushti.
Role of ayurvedic aspects of Orthopedics in the field of Ayurveda is also very vast. Application of different Poultice (Lepas) play a major role for local analgesia and early healing of wound.
