Abstract

REVIEW OF AGNIKARMA (CAUTERIZATION) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC WOUNDS

*Dr. Prerna Karare and Dr. Nirmala C. Apaturkar

Abstract

Ancient surgical science was known as Shalya-tantra. Shalya Tantra is one of the important branches of Ayurveda in which surgical and parasurgical techniques has described for management of various diseases. Anushastra Karma means surgical procedure performed by non surgical items or instruments in absence of surgical instruments & Agnikarma is one from them. Mere utilization of agnikarma, which is counted in anushastra, upayantra and shashti upakrama, provides Shalyatantra the unique position among the eight faculties of Ayurveda. Agni karma is second important anushastra karma which is described by all the acharyas. Wounds, particularly chronic wounds are major concerns for the patient and clinicians. Wound is delineated as disruption of structural and physiological continuity of skin. In Ayurveda, shashthi upakramas are described in details with reference to Vranopkramas. Each one is explained in detail with different drugs and stages of vranas depending on their respective gunas. Aacharya Charaka in his chikitsasthan specially advocated the role of Agnikarma in the management of chronic wounds (Cha.chi.25/42). Agnikarma is very helpful to remove the necrotic tissue which is the main obstacle in the process of wound healing and also as heat itself act as a sterilization, it is very much beneficial in the process of chronic wound healing. (Dalhana). Considering all these facts,a literature study carried out & it is found that Simple, safe, cheap and practicable Ayurvedic procedures like Agnikarma have not been studied so far in the management of Chronic wounds which leave a scope to explore the problem in the light of scientific explanation.

Keywords: Agnikarma, Parasurgical Ayurveda, Shalyatantra, Chronic wound.