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Management of postaxial polydactyly by "Ksharsutra": A minimally invasive Ayurvedic parasurgical procedure
1Department of Shalya Tantra, Dr. Dnyandeo Yashwantrao Patil College of Ayurveda, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Insights
Ksharsutra ligation offers a novel, minimally invasive alternative for treating postaxial polydactyly. This Ayurvedic approach effectively removed an extra finger in a child, resulting in rapid healing and minimal scarring.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Ayurvedic Medicine
- Congenital Hand Surgery
Background:
- Polydactyly, a common congenital hand anomaly, involves extra digits, often postaxial.
- Surgical excision is the standard treatment, typically performed between 1-2 years of age.
- Conventional surgery carries risks of scarring, stiffness, and potential need for further reconstructive procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Ksharsutra ligation as an alternative treatment for postaxial polydactyly.
- To explore a non-surgical, Ayurvedic approach for congenital hand digit removal.
Main Methods:
- Ksharsutra, an Ayurvedic medicated thread with cutting and healing properties, was used for ligation.
- The procedure was applied to a child with postaxial polydactyly whose parents opted for alternative treatment.
Main Results:
- Ksharsutra ligation demonstrated excellent results in treating postaxial polydactyly.
- The extra digit began necrotizing within 24 hours and sloughed off in 9 days.
- Minimal scar formation was observed post-procedure.
Conclusions:
- Ksharsutra ligation presents a promising parasurgical option for polydactyly management.
- Further studies are recommended to establish and promote Ksharsutra in treating congenital hand digit anomalies.
Abstract:
Polydactyly is a most common congenital hand defects in which the hand has one or more extra fingers, commonly seen postaxial, that is, on the small finger side. It is usually treated by surgically removing the extra finger typically, when the child is between 1 and 2 years old. Prognosis after removal of extra digit is good if it occurs in isolation though not devoid of complications like scar formation, stiffness, instability, and late deformity which may need additional reconstructive surgery to recover full function and improve the hand's appearance. I have used "Ksharsutra," an Ayurvedic-medicated thread coated with herbal alkaline drugs having simultaneous cutting and healing property, to remove extra finger in a child, whose parents were not willing to undergo surgery and asked for alternative treatment. "Ksahrsutra ligation" showed excellent result in postaxial polydactyly. The extra finger started necrosing within 24 hours and sloughed out in just 9 days with minimal scar formation. After observing the prognosis, I believe that more cases should be done to establish and promote this unique parasurgical procedure, "Ksharsutra" in the management of polydactyly.
