CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND ANCIENT PERSPECTIVES OF PLASTIC RECONSTRUCTIVE AND COSMETIC SURGERY W.S.R TO SANDHAN KARMA

Abstract

Plastic surgery is a specialized branch of surgery which focuses on restoring the shape and function of lost or damaged tissues and skin. As a result, the dermal repair performed by a plastic surgeon can include both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. The field of plastic surgery offers a unique opportunity to incorporate surgical techniques into the treatment of patients based on their unique needs through the manipulation of bone, cartilage and soft tissue through the processes of re-modeling, reshaping and re-arranging. These methods in Ayurveda come under the heading of Sandhan Karma which is a surgical method that was first documented by Acharya Sushruta and this technique has similarities to plastic surgery. Sushruta’s contributions included his description of the Shashti Upakrama. Sandhana or Sandhan Karma means putting together separated/damaged parts of the body. Since Sushruta’s philosophies regarding reconstructive surgery have existed for thousands of years, they have evolved to keep pace with contemporary plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures for lip, ear, and nose reconstruction (Oshtha Sandhan, Karna Sandhan and Nasa Sandhan). The objective of this article is to discuss the terminology, theories, and methods associated with Sandhan Upakrama as presented in Ayurvedic literature as compared to current day plastic and reconstructive surgical methods.