Contributions of Acharya Susrutha to modern medical science



                                                                                                                                                                                       







Susrutha was a great surgeon of ancient India. He has contributed a lot to the field of medical education and medicine. These are relevant in these modern days also. Many of the practices of modern surgery are indeed adapted from Susrutha. That is why even today he is widely accepted as the Father of plastic surgery. Many ancient Ayurvedic texts state that Susrutha is the son of Viswamitra. He studied surgery under the great Dhanwantari who is regarded as the God of Ayurveda. The exact period of Susrutha is not known. References show that he lived between 2000- 2500 BC. He was not only a surgeon but also a great teacher. He introduced many changes to the system of medical education and emphasised on the practical study. Let's see some of the contributions of this great surgeon.

Contributions of Acharya Susrutha to modern medical science
  • He wrote Susrutha Samhitha which is the most authentic Ayurveda text on surgery. He explains surgical techniques and para surgical procedures like agnikarma, ksharakarma etc in this text.
  • He classified the different stages of progression of a disease called kriyakala. This helps in the easy management of diseases. He also classified diseases into different types.

  • He introduced human dissection as a topic of study to medical students. He made his students dissect dead bodies and study the anatomy. He also made them practice surgical procedures on structures like lotus stalk, the skin of dead animals etc. The principle behind using simulators for practice comes from Acharya Susrutha's concept.
  • He explained the intrauterine development of the foetus month by month. He also explained the anatomy of the human body. These explanations are similar to the findings of modern medical science. Even the microscopical development of the foetus was explained correctly without the help of instruments like a microscope.

  • He explained about the medical and surgical ethics to his students. He also said the qualities of a good doctor.
  • He was the first person to perform plastic surgery. Brain surgery, reconstruction surgery, cataract surgery, transplantations and implantations, obstetric surgery, orthopaedics etc were conducted by Susrutha.

  • He designed the instruments for surgery. These were made from different materials according to the function. Even today, the most modern surgical instruments are similar to these ancient instruments in structure and dimensions. Only the material used has changed.