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13 Aug 2024

Plastic Surgery: From Zenith to Decline, The Golden Era of Surgery in Ancient India

Written by

The Logical Indian

Category

Science and Wellbeing

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Introduction

Embarking on a journey through the annals of medical history, we are drawn to the profound wisdom encapsulated in the Sushruta Samhita, a venerable clinical text on Indian surgery. Our exploration reveals a tapestry of age-old surgical practices intricately woven into the fabric of ancient texts, setting the stage for the evolution of modern surgical artistry.

Sushruta: The Father of Surgery

At the forefront of this narrative stands Sushruta, a luminary often hailed as the father of surgery in India. His teachings, etched in the Sushruta Samhita, resonate through time, laying the cornerstone for contemporary surgical practices. Within the pages of this ancient treatise, Sushruta expounds on techniques such as excision, scarification, and suturing, providing a foundational blueprint for the surgical advancements of today.

Vagbhata and the Dawn of Plastic Surgery

In the 4th century A.D., the Indian physician Vagbhata expanded the horizons of surgical knowledge in his work, the Ashtanga Hridayam Samhita. Crediting Maharishi Atreya, he delved into detailed accounts of plastic surgical procedures. Astonishingly, this ancient Indian medical repository, embedded in Puranic literature, encompasses procedures like rhinoplasty, otoplasty, tissue grafting, organ transplants, embryo transfer, cross-grafting of heads, and re-attachment of limbs.

Atharva Veda: The Root of Ayurveda

The expansive landscape of Indian medical knowledge finds its roots in the Atharva Veda, giving rise to Ayurveda. From this sacred source emerged the Charaka Samhita, focusing on medicinal aspects, and the Sushruta Samhita, delving into surgical intricacies. Sushruta, guided by his esteemed teacher Devadas, meticulously documented plastic surgical procedures in his treatise, enriching the heritage of surgical wisdom.

The Golden Era and Its Decline

The zenith of surgical prowess in ancient India, flourishing from 600 B.C. onwards, faced a gradual decline with the advent of Buddhism. Prohibitions imposed by the Mahavagga Jataka and purification rituals mandated by Manusmriti cast a shadow over surgical practices. Ayurveda, with its reservations towards surgery due to perceived pollution, relegated intricate surgical skills to lower castes, notably the 'Koomars' or potters, celebrated for their manual dexterity.

Transmission of Knowledge and Rebirth

Despite this decline, India and Egypt emerged as the wellsprings from which knowledge flowed to the Middle East, reaching the Greeks and Romans. The transfer was facilitated by Buddhist missionaries, marking an epochal contribution to global medical history. The modern era witnessed a revival of plastic surgery in India post-World War II, spurred by the influence of British maxillofacial surgery units. Visionaries like Dr. C. Balakrishnan, Dr. R.N. Sinha, and Major Sukh played pivotal roles in shaping the trajectory of plastic surgery in the country.

Milestones and Recognition

In 1958, a significant milestone was etched with the establishment of the first independent Department of Plastic Surgery at M.C. Hospital in Nagpur. This formal recognition marked the evolution of plastic surgery as a specialised field in India, setting the stage for its continued growth and innovation.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the roots of plastic surgery in India, we are inspired by the brilliance of ancient scholars like Sushruta, whose legacy continues to inspire. Their legacy serves as a guiding beacon for modern practitioners, reaffirming that the pursuit of knowledge and healing is an enduring and timeless endeavour. India's gift of surgical wisdom has not only left an indelible mark on the world but continues to shape the narrative of medical excellence.

References:

National Centre for Biotechnology Information, Sangeeta Thakurani, Samarth Gupta, 28th Aug 2020 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7453075/
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India
https://apsi.in/past-conferences
Indian J Plastic Surg, S. M. Kale, July-December 2003 https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/retrieve/3854/pl03030.pdf
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India
https://apsi.in/history-of-plastic-surgery-in-india#:~:text=Just%20as%20the%20Sun%20rises,'%20(circa%20600%20B.C.
National Library of medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10617452/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23788147/

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IndiaFirst Life & the logical indian

Headquartered in Mumbai, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited (IndiaFirst Life), is one of the country's youngest life insurance companies. The Logical Indian is an independent and public-spirited digital media platform for Indian Millennials. IndiaFirst Life and The Logical Indian have come together to showcase India’s rich history of innovation in different fields of life which have made a significant mark on humanity and globally. The information presented here is the result of a collaborative effort between The IndiaFirst Life, Dentsu Creative & The Logical Indian. All research and fact-finding is credited to Dentsu Creative in association with The Logical Indian.