PARASURGICAL PROCEDURES OF AYURVEDA AS MINIMALLY INVASIVE ALTERNATIVES IN MODERN SURGERY

The evolution of modern surgical practice has witnessed a profound shift from radical, open-access procedures toward Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS). While this is often viewed as a contemporary advancement, the foundations of such philosophy were articulated thousands of years ago in the Sushruta Samhita. Acharya Sushruta described Anushastra Karma or parasurgical procedures—including Kshara Karma (chemical cautery), Agnikarma (thermal cautery), and Jalaukavacharana (leech therapy)—as techniques that achieve surgical goals without the extensive use of sharp instruments. These procedures prioritize tissue preservation, localized action, and minimal systemic disruption. This article provides a comprehensive academic review of these parasurgical interventions, analyzing their biochemical mechanisms and clinical efficacy in comparison to modern surgical techniques. By evaluating contemporary research and classical literature, the study demonstrates that Anushastra Karma offers cost-effective, office-based, and highly successful alternatives for managing chronic conditions like fistula-in-ano, musculoskeletal disorders, and peripheral vascular congestion, with significantly lower recurrence rates than conventional methods.