Does Ayurveda Surgery have a connection with Modern Surgery? 

Are vaidyas modern in terms of thinking, learning, expressing, and facing the problems of the new postmodern, post-pandemic world? Don't you think that it is painful to face such questions despite four or five thousand years of consistent live practice of medicine within the Indian subcontinent? 

Is it not that the new is learned based on the existing? Apples used to fall, are falling, and will fall; yet the theory of gravitational force, its mathematical model gave a new dimension to the modern world. Similarly, the basic 8 surgical procedures, 120 types of instruments, 300 surgical disease categories, and over 1200 subtypes, simulation techniques using pumpkins, bandages, and sutures are the same after all these 4000 years. The materials have changed from magnetite iron to steel; instead of opium, its derivatives are used for anesthesia and techniques refined.  Sushruta, the Father of surgery, the first surgeon to device plastic surgery and to perform cataract operations is remembered by modern surgeons, the world over. All these procedures and techniques didn't see the light of the day overnight! There must have been a lot of effort, mistakes, and repetitions for precision before documenting it in the Textbook of Surgery by Sushruta. Adaptation of new knowledge is integral to Ayurveda. So why then the use of anesthetics, antibiotics, Boyles apparatus, surgical instruments not be a part of the Ayurvedic surgical branch? 

The fact can not be overlooked that while praising the surgical knowledge base of Ayurveda, whether today's training of Ayurvedic surgeons and the amount of clinical experience they get, is truly sufficient to deliver the standard of care to the patients. The MoA at present and the Board of Education (previously Central Council of Indian Medicine) have taken steps about a couple of decades back to train Ayurveda surgeons into new knowledge for general surgical practice. Another dimension that supports such a pragmatic approach is the situation of healthcare delivery in the country. In all the rural places where modern medicine doctors seldom practice, Ayurveda postgraduates practice, and serve the community. They use both systems Ayurvedic and contemporary. More quality in education and practice can be brought in Ayurvedic education and vice versa all modern doctors must be exposed to the huge knowledge base of Ayurveda through a compulsory subject in the first professional year. 

Researchers of Modern surgery dig the Sushruta Samhita for finding leads about a new type of disease or techniques or herbs to heal and it gets included in the modern surgical textbook, does not come back to Sushruta. It was interesting to debate on the issue on Times Now channel, as usual, the time slot that you get for such debates always insufficient. 

IMA Vs Ayurveda