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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : February 4, 2019 4:18 PM IST
Ever tried Kshar Sutra for colorectal disorders? ©Shutterstock
Kshar Sutra is an ayurvedic parasurgical treatment used to help manage anorectal disorders such as hemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, anal fissure, and pilonidal sinus. Dr Parameshwar CM, Bengaluru Smiles, explains, "Kshar Sutra is performed by first coating a surgical linen thread of gauge number 30 with Snuhi Latex 11 times, snuhi latex and Apamarga Kshara 7 times, and snuhi latex and turmeric powder 3 times. The patient is anaesthetized and a malleable probe with the surgical linen thread (called the Kshar Sutra) in its groove is passed through the external opening of the fistula to its inside and the probe is then carefully taken out with the Kshar Sutra intact. After this, both ends of the Kshar Sutra are tied together and replaced with a new one after a week. After this procedure, the tract is eventually cut and healed because of the removal of unhealthy tissue. This controls microbial infection and facilitates drainage of pus in the tract aiding in healing."
According to Dr Parameshwar, the therapy for Pilonidal Sinus is done in a similar manner while for haemorrhoids, a patient is first sedated after which the pile mass is brought out of the anal orifice using forceps and then the mass is given an incision at the mucocutaneous joint after which the pile mass is pulled and transfixed with Kshara Sutra at its base. Finally, the pile mass in the rectum is replaced with Yastimadhu Taila or ghrita.
What Ksharsutra helps treatment of colorectal disorders
"Ayurvedic treatments such as the Kshar Sutra are extremely benign and don t have any side effects. After the Kshar Sutra the results a patient experiences are permanent and benign. This makes Kshar Sutra an effective treatment for those suffering from haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, anal fissure, and pilonidal sinus. Those who undergo such treatment recover from the treatment in just 3-5 days after having stayed at the hospital for only 5-6 hours only 30-45 minutes of which are used to perform the surgery, " Dr Parameshwar says.
An advantage of Kshar Sutra is that consultation for the surgery and the treatment is not expensive. The treatment is completely natural and there are few, if any, after effects from the surgery which makes many patients opt for this.
Kshar Sutra is beneficial to many patients. However, there are benefits to integrating this surgery with other techniques as well. This treatment should be supplement with home remedies such as eating food rich in fibre and consuming more water. Also while this surgery is an effective first line of treatment, if a patient s condition worsens then advanced techniques such as DG-HAL RAR, MIPH, RFA, and IRC may be used.
What are the factors responsible for increasing colorectal cancer in India?
Over the past few decades, there has been an increase in the number of Indians suffering from colorectal cancer. One of the biggest reasons for this the hectic urban lifestyle so many Indians have adopted. A part and parcel of this lifestyle are that more and more Indians today are eating out and often eating unhealthy food. Foods such as fast foods are high in fat and cause people to become overweight or obese. People who are overweight or obese are far more likely to suffer from colorectal cancer than others.
Other factors that are leading to increasing incidents of colorectal cancer are that people are often not getting exercise. Exercise is essential to remain fit and for the body to continue functioning optimally. Today much work is performed inside an office, so people in Indian cities don t get enough exercise. Another reason why colorectal cancer rates are rising is that people eat irregular meals. This means they eat at different times during the day, every day, putting the body s rhythm out of synchronicity leading them to eat more at odd times and becoming overweight or obese.
