Surgery

Acharya Sushruta – Cataract Surgery and Plastic Surgery

Cataract surgery and plastic surgery were also first performed by the ancient physician Sushruta. He used a curved needle and removed the cataract by pushing the lens.

The eyes were then immersed in warm butter and were properly covered until they were completely healed. Usage of anesthesia was also well known in ancient India. People from far off countries came to India to seek treatment.

Born to sage Vishwamitra, Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago, he along with the health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgeries like artificial limbs, cesareans, cataract, Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose), urinary stones, and 6 types of dislocations, 12 types of fractures, plastic surgery and even brain surgery. He is the author of the book “Sushruta Samhita”, in which he describes over 300 surgical procedures and 125 surgical instruments. Sushruta’s work was later translated into Arabic language and gradually passed on to European countries.