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RACS ASC 2024

From Ancient India to Modern Urology: Unveiling Sushruta's Timeless Wisdom

Poster

Poster

Disciplines

Surgical History

Presentation Description

Institution: John Hunter Hospital - New South Wales, Australia

Purpose: Sushruta (800-700 BC) is hailed as the father of Indian surgery and urology, earning the title "greatest surgeon of the premedieval period." This study explores Sushruta's contributions to urology, focusing on his seminal work, the Sushruta Samhita, a comprehensive treatise on surgery dating back to the 6th century BCE. Methods: A comprehensive review of available literature detailing Sushruta's works in the Sushruta Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit text, was conducted to understand his contributions to urology. The review focused on his observations, surgical techniques, and treatment methods documented in the 6th century BCE text. Results: Sushruta's ancient text, the Sushruta-Samhita, provides the earliest documentation of urethral catheters. These catheters were made from materials like gold, silver, iron, and wood, lubricated with clarified butter. He placed significant importance on the study of anatomy, and although his observations may appear outdated today, he conducted his research by closely examining decomposing bodies in the absence of dissecting tools. Sushruta's meticulous approach to managing urethral strictures, involving dilation with progressively thicker tubes and incision when needed, remains relevant in modern medicine. Sushruta linked stone formation to factors like phlegm, bile, air, or semen, detailing associated painful symptoms. Treatment advice involved a vegetarian diet, medicated milk, clarified butter, and alkalis, reserving surgery as a last option. Conclusion: Sushruta's contributions to urology remain remarkably significant even in the context of contemporary medicine. His groundbreaking work in surgical techniques and catheterization have had a lasting impact on the practice of urology.

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