Yantra and shastra (surgical instruments)

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS OF SUSRUTA AND �ITS UTILITY IN MODERN SURGERY

1. 107/30/19 107/30/19 1
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS OF SUSRUTA AND
ITS UTILITY IN
MODERN SURGERY

07/30/19 1
DR NEHARU MANDOLI
BAMS, MS, FRHS, D,Pharma
Surgeon, Proctologist
Assisstant professor
Dept of PG studies in Shalyatantra
Shri Kalabyraveshwara Swamy Ayurvedic Medical
College and Hospital, Vijayanagar, Bangalore -104

2. 2
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS USED FOR MANUFACTURE OF INSTRUMENTS
QUALITIES OF AN IDEAL INSTRUMENT
YANTRA AND ITS CLASSIFICATION
SHASTRAS AND ITS DESCRIPTION
EDGES OF SHARP INSTRUMENTS
TEMPERING OF SHASTRAS
SHASTRA GUNAS
ANUSHASTRA
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION

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INTRODUCTION
 Acharya Susrutha is known for his contribution to the
field of Shalya Tantra - Surgery.
 Susrutha Samhita has elaborate description of
Yantras & Shastras used for various Shalya karma.
 A detailed description of 121 types of surgical
instruments is available in Yantravidhi adhyaya (101
nos) and Shastra vidhi adhyaya (20 nos).
 Susrutha has also described Anushastras that are
used for those in whom shastra cannot be used.

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MATERIALS USED FOR MANUFACTURE OF INSTRUMENTS
, | /
 Surgical instruments are usually made of iron, but suitable
materials can be used when iron of good quality is not
available.
 A wise surgeon should get the instruments made of pure iron
and with sharp edges by an expert blacksmith who is skillful
and experienced in his craft
 Surgical instruments are now made up of steel as they are
rust free compared to iron and cheaper when compared to gold
and silver.
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YANTRAS AND ITS
CLASSIFICATION
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YANTRAS [BLUNT INSTRUMENTS]
: ;
/
Shalyas are those which affects both the manas and
shareera and Yantras are used for their aaharana.
; ,
/

According to Susrutha Yantras are 101 in number
among them hastha is pradhana tama.
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7. 7
QUALITIES OF AN IDEAL YANTRA
|
/
Susrutha says that they should be of the proper size and
their ends should be rough or polished; they should also be
strong , well shaped and should possess a firm grip.

8. 8
Yantra are broadly classified into 6 types
1.Swathika yantra [Cruciform instruments]
2.Sandamsha yantra [Dissecting forceps]
3.Tala yantra [Scoops]
4.Nadi yatra [Tubular instruments]
5.Shalaka yantras [Probe like instrument]
6.Upayantra [Accessory instruments]

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NAME OF
YANTRA
NUMBER TYPES
SWASTHIKA 24 VYALA MUKHA-9
 SIMHA MUKHA (LION FORCEPS)
VYAGHRA MUKHA (TIGER FORCEPS)
VRIKA MUKHA (WOLF FORCEPS)
TARAKSHU MUKHA (HYENA FORCEPS)
RIKSHA MUKHA (BEAR FORCEPS)
DWEEPI MUKHA (PANTHER FORCEPS)
MARJARA MUKHA (CAT FORCEPS)
SRIGALA MUKHA (JACKAL FORCEPS)
MRIGAIRVARUKA (DEER FORCEPS)

10. 10
NAME OF
YANTRA
NUMBER TYPES
SWASTHIKA 24 PAKSHI MUKHAM 15
KAKA MUKHA (CROW FORCEPS)
KANKA MUKHA (HERON FORCEPS)
KURARAMUKHA (OSPREY FORCEPS)
CHASA MUKHA (BLUEJOY FORCEPS)
BHASA MUKHA (EAGLE FORCEPS)
SASHAGHATI MUKHA (HAWK FORCEPS)
ULOOKA MUKHA ( OWL FORCEPS)
CHILLI MUKHA (KITE FORCEPS)
SHYENA MUKHA (VULTURE FORCEPS)
GRIDHRA MUKHA (VULTURE FORCEPS)
KROUNCHA MUKHA (CATLEW FORCEPS)
BHRINGARAJA MUKHA (BUTCHER BIRD)
ANJALIKARNA MUKHA
AVABHANJANA MUKHA
NANDIMUKHA MUKHA
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NAME OF YANTRA NUMBER TYPES
SANDAMSA YANTRA 2 SANIGRAHA
ANIGRAHA
TALA YANTRA 2 EKATALAM
DWITALAM
NADI YANTRA 20 BHAGANDARA YANTRA-2
ARSHO YANTRA-2
VRANA YANTRA-1
BASTI YANTRA-4
UTTARABASTI YANTRA-2
MUTRAVRIDHISRAVANA YANTRA-1
JALODARA SRAVANA YANTRA-1
DHUMANETRA YANTRA-3
NIRUDHAPRAKASHA YANTRA-1
SANNIRUDHAGUDA YANTRA-1
ALABU YANTRA-1
SRINGA YANTRA-1
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NAME OF YANTRA NUMBER TYPES
SALAKA YANTRA 28 GANDUPADA MUKHA-2
SARPAPHANA MUKHA-2
SARAPUNKHA MUKHA-2
BADISA MUKHA-2
MASURADALAMATRA MUKHA-2
KARPASAKRUTA USHNEESHA-6
DARVI-3
JAMBAVAVADANA-3
ANKUSHAVADANA-3
KOLASTHIDALAMATRAMUKHA-1
ANJANA SALAKA-1
MUTRAMARGA VISHODHANARTHAM-1
UPAYANTRA 25 RAJJU, VENIKA, PATTA, CHARMA,
ANTARVALKALA, LATA, VASTRA,
ASHTEELASMA, MUDGARA, PANITALA
& PADATALA, ANGULI, JIHVA, DANTA,
NAKHA, MUKHA, BALA, ASVAKATAKA,
SHAKHA, SHTEEVANA, PRAVAHANA,
HARSHA, AYASKANTA, KSHARA, AGNI,
BHESHAJA.
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SWASTHIKA YANTRA
: /
 They are 18 angulas in length
 Their ends are shaped like the faces of ferocious beasts and
birds and called after their names.
 The fulcrums are at the middle and of the size of a masura.
 Handles are either rounded off or bent at an angle at their ends.
 Used for the extraction of foreign bodies impacted in the bones.
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SWASTIKA YANTRAS

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:
: /

: /
 Foreign body which is visible- Simhamukha yantra.
 Foreign body which is invisible- Kankamukha .
 Kankamukha is considered as the best among the swastika
yantras
 It can be easily introduced and turned in all directions and
also it grasps firmly and extracts a foreign body with ease,
 Can be applied without any harm to all parts of the body.
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Name of the
forceps
Uses
CHEATLE’S
FORCEPS
To pick sterilised articles
Does not have lock
SPONGE
HOLDING
FORCEPS
[RAMPLEYS]
 Fenestrated, serrated,
flat distal end.
 To clean the operative field,
 To swab cavities,
 To mop the oozing area

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KOCHER’S
FORCEPS
 Got serrations in the distal
blades and opposing tooth in
the tip
 Used to hold pedicles,
tough structures, cut ends of
the muscles
MAYO’S
TOWEL
CLIP
 To fix the drapes in
operative field.
 Fix the suction tube.
 Fix diathermy wires in
operative tables.
ARTERY
FORCEPS
HAEMOSTAT
 To catch bleeding point.
 To open the fascial planes
in different surgeries.
 To pass a ligature.
 To hold fascia, peritoneum,
aponeurosis.
 To hold the sutures.

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ALLIS
TISSUE
HOLDING
FORCEPS
Distal blades are not
opposing to each other
Used to hold the skin
flaps, fascia, Aponeurosis
,bladder wall.
Got teeth in each blade
which are opposing and a
lock on the proximal
part.
BABCOCK’S
FORCEPS
 It has a triangular
expansion with
fenestrations at the
opening end.
To hold any part of
bowel, Fallopian tubes,
Appendix, Ureter, cord.
NEEDLE
HOLDER
Smaller distal blades
with criss cross
serrations often with a
groove in the middle.

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SAMDAMSHA YANTRA

: |
Those which have a firm grip over the shalyas or those which hold
the shalya very strongly are known as samdamsha.
: ;
/
 They are 16 angula in length
 Two types- Sanigraha and Anigraha ie, forceps with or without
catch.
 Used to extract the shalyas from the soft structures like twak,
mamsa, sira and snayu.
The samdamsha yantras can be correlated to the Dissecting
forceps used in modern surgery.
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PLAIN NON-TOOTHED DISSECTING FORCEPS
It is used to hold delicate structures like peritoneum, bowels,
vessel, nerves, tendons.
TOOTHED DISSECTING FORCEPS
It is used to hold skin and tough structures.
This is the forceps which is always used while suturing the
skin.

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TALA YANTRA
/

Tala yantra are 12 angula in length.
Shaped like the talu of a fish
Two types namely Ekathala and Dwithala
Instruments with one tala resemble one lip of the fish,
and those with two talas represent its entire face.
Used of extracting foreign bodies from the ear, nose
and sinuses in the body.
The tala yantras can be correlated to the Scoops used
in modern surgical procedures.
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EAR SCOOP To clean the ear
canal of ear wax
VOLKMANN’S
SCOOP
To scoop cavities,
ulcer bed,
granulation tissues.
Different sized
scoops are present
on either side.

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NADI YANTRA
Nadeeyantras are hollow tubular instruments.
; , /
The Nadi Yantra are described to be of various kinds and to serve
many purposes.
They are open either at one or both ends.
Used for the extraction of foreign substances from different
srothases of the body.
Used as a diagnostic apparatus for inspection of diseases in the
canals.
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YANTRA TYPES PRAMANA USES MODERN CORELATION
Bhagand
ara
yantra
Dwichid
ra
Ekachid
ra
In order to find
out the internal
opening of a
fistula.
Arsho
yantras
Dwichid
ra
Ekachid
ra
•4 angula long
•Circumferenc
e
5 angula for
male
6 angula for
Female.
•Dwichidra is
used for
visualising
•Eka chidra is
used for karma
Proctoscope
•Used to visualise
the rectum and the
anal canal.

25. 25
Rubber ball vaginal douche
Simple rubber catheter
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YANTRA PRAMANA USES CORRELATION
Uttara basti 14 angula long
Circumference malati
pushpa vrinthavat
Lumen-sarshapa nirgamam
To administer
uttara basti
dravya.
•Rubber ball
vaginal douche
•Simple red rubber
catheter

26. 26
YANTRA USE CORRELATION
Vrana yantra Vrana
prakshalana
Syringe
Irrigator
Dakodara yantraVisraavana cannula
Mutra vridhi
yantra
Visraavana Cannula
Dhoomayantra Dhooma panaInhalers
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YANTRA USES MODERN CORRELATION
Nirudhaprakasha
yantra
DialatationCatheters
Sannirudha guda
yantra
DialatationAnal dialator

28. 28
YANTRA PRAMANA USES MODERN
CORRELATION
Alabu yantra Diameter of the
Mouth - 4 angula
Circumference of
body - 8 angula
Rakta mokshana Cupping glasses
Suction ball
Sringa yantra Rakta mokshana Horn
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29. 29
CUPPING

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VASTI YANTRA
Age Length of
the tube
Part of the
tube in
bag
Circumference
of tube
Circumferen
ce at the
base
Circumference
at the tip
1 year 6 angula1.5 angulaKanishtika
parinaham
Kanka pakshi
nadi tulya
Mudga tulya
8 year 8 angula2 angulaAnamika
parinaham
Syenapaksha
nadi tulyam
Masha tulya
16 year10 angula3 angulaTriteeya anguli
parinaham
Barhi pakshi
nadi tulya
Kalaya tulya
25 years/
above
12 angula3 angulaKanishtikodara
parinaaham
Angushtodara
parinaaham
Kola tulya

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SHALAKA YANTRAS
. /
Gandupada mukha
Blunt instrument with its end
shaped like the head of an earthworm.
It is used for eshana karma
It can be compared to the Blunt probes.
Sharapunkha mukha

The end of this shalaka is
shaped like the leaves of sharapunkha.
It is used for chalana karma
It can be compared to Tooth elevator.

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Sarpaphana mukha
Ends are shaped like the hood of a snake
It is used for vyuhana karma.
Retractors
Retractors are used to hold aside
tissues to explore deeper structures
Badisha mukha
The tips of badisha mukha salaka
resembles a fine fishing hook
2 types- Swanathagram, Nathyanatham
Used for Arma nirharana
 Also to remove the shalya by hooking them and to
take them out by force.
This can be compared to the Hook like instrument
32

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Masooradalamatra mukha
Their ends are shaped like that of a masoora and are slightly curved.
They are used for extracting shalyas from the srothases.
Karpasa krutha ushneesha
,
They are six in number
One end of the shalaka is covered by karpasa or cotton
They are used for wiping.
These can be compared to the Swab probes.
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Khalla mukha
These are 3 in number
They are shaped like a spoon
Used for the application of kshara oushadhis
This can be compared to a Spoon shaped instruments
Jambava vadana
They are 3 in number
Their ends resemble jamboo phala hence are known as jambava vadana.

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Ankusha vadana
These are also three in number
It has the shape of an elephant drivers goad
Both jambava and ankusha vadana are used for
agnikarma.
Diathermy or electrocautery
Method to control bleeding or to cut the tissues during surgery
Types : based on type of current used :
unipolar cautery
bipolar cautery
Based on type of action
coagulation cautery
cutting cautery
Blended cautery

36. 36
Kolasthimatra mukha
It is sharp at the periphery and
depressed at the middle.
Used for the extraction of nasa arbuda
It can be compared to a Nasal curette
Anjana shalaka
It is 8 angula in length with a thickness of a kalaya and the ends are
shaped like buds.
Used for the purpose of application of collyrium.

37. 37
Mutramarga vishodhanartham
Its ends are rounded like the stalk of a malathi pushpa
It is used for cleaning the urethral canal.
It can be compared to a Urethral Sound or Bougie
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UPAYANTRA
, /
Upayantras are those which are similar to yantras, but are
inferior to yantras.
/
These can be used in the whole body, or the organs of the
body, in sandhi, koshta , dhamani according to the need.

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UpayantraUse Correlation
Rajju
-Rope
•Thread or a
rope.
•Used for
arishta
bandhana
Tourniquet
Venika-
Interwined
rope
•Used for
arishta
bandhana.
•Kshara sutra
can be
considered
Tourniquet

40. 40
Upayantra Use Correlation
Patta Different types of clothes Bandage, towels, mops,
Charma Skin
•In guda bhramsa for bandaging
•arishta bandhana in
sarpadamstra
•udara, after udara patana
Skin grafts
Antarvalkala•inner bark of trees like palasha,
udumbara, ashwatha
•bandana in bhagna
Splints made of bamboo,
Steel are used in fracture
management.
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UPAYANTRA USE CORRELATION
Lata •Climbers
•Used for giving
traction
Ropes and belts
are used for
giving traction
Vastra Clothes, bandageSurgical aprons,
gowns, bandage
guaze, mops.
Asthilashma•Dheergha
varthula
pashana.
•Removal of
asthi gata
shalya
Hammers are
used in
orthopaedic
surgery
Mudgara •Made up of
wood
•Used similar to
asthilashma
Hammers are
used in
orthopaedic
surgery

42. 42
UPAYANTRA USE CORRELATION
Panipadatala•Vimlapana
•Reduction of
fratures
Fracture
reduction
Anguli Vimlapana,
eshana,
peedana
P/R, P/V
examinations.
Used during
surgery.
Jihwa For rogi pariksha.
Removal of netra
gata shalya.
Soft damp swabs
are used for
removal of
foreign body
from eyes.
Dantha •Used for making
instruments like
arshoyantra
Instead of danta
steel is used for
manufacture of
instruments.
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UPAYANTRA USE CORRELATION
Nakha • Drushya shalya aaharana in surgery
• For separating layers of skin.
Are used to remove
small foreign
materials from skin.
Mukha Used for suction suction pump and
suction balls
Bala •Hair of human and horse.
•Sivana karma
•Galagatha shalya nirharana.
Catguts are used as
suturing materials .

44. 44
UPAYANTRA USE CORRELATION
Ashawakataka –
Ring
For removal of asthigatha
shalya
Forceful extraction of
foreign body
Shakha Removal of deeply seated
shalya
Forceful extraction of
foreign body
Shteevana Kapha nirharanartha
Mukha gata sookshama
shalya nirharanartha
Expectoration
Pravahana Vata mutra pureesha garbha
sangha
Asru pravahana in netra
gatha sookshma shalya
Bearing down during
labour
Harsha Dukha roopi shalya Used in psychological
disorders
Counselling.
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UPAYANTRA USE CORRELATION
AyaskanthaSookshma loha
shalya
nirharanartha
Electromagnets
Kshara Chedana,bhedana
and lekhanartham
Kshara sutra
Agni Agnikarma Diathermy
Bheshaja Vrana shodhana,
ropana, kshalana
Pooyarupi shalya
nirharanartham
Topical
applications

46. DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS OF
YANTRA

1.Nirghatana- pulling out after crushing,
2. Unmathana- pulling out after twisting,
3. Poorana- filling,
4. Marga shuddhi- clearing the passage,
5. Vyuhana- bringing together,
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47. 6. Aharana – extracting,
7. Bandhana- binding,
8. Peedana- rubbing,
9. Achushana – sucking,
10.Unnamana- lifting up,
11.Namana- pushing down, bending down
12.Chalana- shaking,
13.Bhanga- breaking,
14.Vyavartana- overturning,
15.Rjukarana- straightening etc. Are the functions of the yantras
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48. SHASTRA
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SHASTRA [SHARP INSTRUMENTS]
Su Su 8
A S Su 34
...
SHASTRAS ARE TWENTY IN NUMBER. THEY ARE,
1. MANDALAGRA 11. SHARARIMUKHA

2. KARAPATRA 12. ANTARMUKHA
3. VRIDDHIPATRA 13. TRIKOORCHAKA
4. NAKHASHASTRA 14. KUTAARIKA
5. MUDRIKA 15. VREEHIMUKHA
6. UTPALAPATRA 16 . AARA
7. ARDHADHARA 17. VETASAPATRA
8. SOOCHI 18. BADISHA
9. KUSHAPATRA 19. DANTASANKHU
1O. AADHIMUKHA 20. ESHANI
49

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EDGES (DHARA) FOR SHARP INSTRUMENT
Four different types of edges :
 Masuri- for bhedana (incision) eg: vridhipatra, nakhashastra
 Ardha masuri- lekhana (scarifying) eg: mandalagra
 Kaishiki-vyadhana (puncturing) eg: kutharika
visravana (evacuating) eg: needles, kushapatra
 Ardha kaishiki –chedana (dividing) eg: vriddhipatra
TEMPERING (PAYANA) OF SHARP INSTRUMENTS
Three types of tempering for sharp instruments
 Kshara payana: for chedana of shara, shalya and asthi
 Udaka payana: for chedana, bhedana and patana of mamsa
 Taila payana: for sira vyadhana and chedana of snayu
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SHARPENING (NISHANA) OF SHASTRAS

/
The stone used for sharpening the edges of shastras should
have the colour of Masha.
DHARASAMSTHAPANA
| /
To retain the edges of the cutting instruments, it should be
rubbed on plank of salmali wood (Bombax Malabaricum) .
SHASTRA DOSHA 8
1) VAKRA ( bent ) 2) KUNTHA ( blunt ) 3) KHANDA ( broken ) 4)
KHARDHAR ( dentate cutting edges ) 5) ATISHULA ( too heavy )
6) ATITUCHHA (too light ) 7) ATIDIRGHA ( too long ) 8)
ATIHRASVA ( too short )
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GOOD QUALITIES OF SHARP SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
. /
An instument to be used for surgical procedures should be of
fine make, should have an edge keen enough to divide the hairs
on the skin and should be firmly grasped at the proper place.
. /
A good instrument should have a well made handle, affording a
firm grip, made of iron of good quality, should have a fine edge,
a pleasant shape and a well finished point and should not be
dentated.
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53. SASTRA KARMA - 8
1) Chedan (Excision)
 2) Bhedana (Incision)
3) Lekhana (Scraping)
4) Visravana (Draining)
5) Vedhana (Puncturing)
6) Esana (Probing )
7) Aharana (Extraction)
8) Sivana (Suturing)
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SHASTRAS
Mandalagra

 2 types: vruthamukha and kshurakara.
 measurement: 6 angula
 used for chedana and lekhana.
Circular knife

55. 55
Kara patra
. . /
The word karapatra means that which looks like the projecting
fingers
Measurement: 6 angula
The edges are rough and serrated almost similar to a saw.
It also used for chedana and lekhana.
used in asthi chedana
Bone saw
.
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Vruddhi patra
:
2 types: Anchitagram & Prayathagram
Both are of seven angula in length in which the
handle should be of five and half angula.
Used for chedana and bhedana.
Scalpel
Popularly known as the surgeons knife
The instrument is detachable- handle and blade.
This is used to incise the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
Curved Bistoury
Bistoury is a long, narrow bladed knife with a straight or
curved edge and sharp or blunt point
Used for opening or slitting cavities or hollow structures.

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Nakha shastra

 It is eight angula in length, in which blade is two angula in length and one
angula broad.
Used for chedana and bhedana.
Nail parer

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Mudrika
 Mudrika means ring.
The instrument or shastra which fits around index finger.
 Also known as Anguli shastra.
 Used for chedana and bhedana in kanta gata rogas
Finger knife
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Utpala patra
The blade of the shastra looks similar to the petal of utpala.
It has got a sharp edge.
Pramana: 6 angula , Blade 3 angula long and1 angula broad
Used for chedana bhedana. incising vidradhi.
Lancet

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Ardhadhara
,
The shastra is called so because half of the length of the shastra is sharp.
Also known as vakra dhaaram
Pramana: 8 angula in length, 2 angula broad
A type of knife.
.

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Soochi
These are suturing needles which are mainly used for visravana and
seevana karma,
3 types:
Vritta : round body needle 2 angula long
Used in regions where there is alpa mamsa and in sandhi.
Tisra or trikonaka: triangular in shape- 3 angula in length
Useful in suturing skin and fleshy areas
Dhanurvakra : needle curved like a bow- 2 and a half angula long
suturing the wounds of stomach intestines and vital parts of the body
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Needles
Types
Based on existance of the eye
Atraumatic needle
Traumatic needle
Based on curvature
Straight needle
Curved needle
Based on the edge
Round body needle
Cutting needle
Reverse cutting needle
Taper cut needle

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Kushapatra

The instrument which is small and fine similar to that of a kusha
patra
 Pramana:length of blade: 3 angula, handle: 2 angula .
 For Visravana, Siravyadha in galaganda and mukharoga.
Pagets knife

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Aatimukha
:
The instrument which resembles the bird aati is known as
aatimukha shastra.
Pramana: handle- 7 angula
Blade- 8 angula
Anterior 1 angula is phala bhaga.
Uses: for visravana, siravyadha in greeva kaksha etc.
Episiotomy scissors
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Shararimukha
: ,
 Sharari is a bird with long beaks and
the shastra which resembles sharari is known
as sharari mukha shastra.
Also known as Kartari
Pramana: 12 angula
Uses: Visravanartham, Extension of
incissions made by utpala yantra.
Pair of scissors
2 basic types: one for soft tissues
another for firmer tissues

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Antarmukha
, ,
,
It is a cresent shaped shastra
Also known as Chandraardam.
Pramana: 8 angula
Similar to kartari
Trikoorchakam
:
 Shastra with 3 brush like sharp needles
mounted on a strong handle.
 Uses: visravanam.
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67
Kutharika

 That which is a miniature of Axe
 Handle of 7 and half angula, blade half anguli .
 Phala is godanta sadrisha
 Use: Vyadhana Karma.
Axe shaped knife or Chisel

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Vrihimukha
 Tip of the shastra which looks like a Vreehi mukha
 Pramana : Handle- 2 angula, Blade- 4 anguli
 Uses: Vyadhana in jalodara, mutravruddhi , siravyadhana.
Trocar and cannula
This has two parts. The inner sharp part is the trochar and outer blunt
part is cannula.
It is used to drain hydrocoele fluid.
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Ara – ,
 This is a wide semi curved or straight knife with a short round handle.
 Pramana : 8 angula phala – tila pramana
 Handle is similar to go pucha
 Blade resembles kusha patra doorva ankura
 Used: Vyadhana, karna vyadhana asthi gata shalya
nirbharnatham
Awl

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Vetasapatra
,
Shastra which looks like a bamboo leaf
Measurement: Blade is 4 angula in length and 1 angula broad
Used: vyadhana

Tenotomy knife
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Badisha
, :
Sharp hook
Shastra which is bend at its tip like a fishing hook
Measurement: 6 angula
Handle: 5.5 angula
Blade: 0.5 angula
Types: 2 types: Swanatham – Fully curved
Natyanatam – Semi curved
Use: Aaharanam

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Dantashanku
:
A conical sharp instrument with a very sharp tip
Measurement: 6 angula
Handle: 5.5 angula
Blade: 0.5 angula
Use: useful in several dental disorders, used to scrape out the dental
debris from the surfaces, corners and cervices of the teeth
Tooth scaler

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Eshani
:
 This is similar to all other probes, but for its sharp edge. The sharp
probes has got the shape of a needle and are 8 anguli long.
Use: eshana and anulomana in probing or searching the course or
direction of the pus in vidradi
Sharp probes, Director
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ANUSASTRA
. . /()
. . /()
Anushastras mentined by sushrutha are the following-
1. Twak sara 8. Nakha
2. Sphatika 9. Goji
3 . Kacha 10. shefhalika
4. Kuruvinda 11. Shakapara
5. Jalouka 12. Kareera
6. Agni 13. Bala
7. Kshara 14. Anguli
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ANUSHASTRA USE
Twaksara –
bamboo
Chedana,
bhedana
Sphatika -crystalChedana,
bhedana
Kacha- glass Chedana ,
bhedana
Kuruvinda- a type
of stone
Chedana,
bhedana
Jalouka Rakta mokshana
Agni Agni karma
Kshara Lekhana ,
chedana,
dahana,shodhana
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ANUSHASTRA USE
Nakha Aaharana,
chedana,
bhedana
Goji- gojihva Lekhana
Shephalika -Lekhana
Shaka Lekhana
Kareera- tender
sprouts of
bamboo
Eshana in
mukha, netra,
and vartma
gata roga.
Bala –hair Seevana,
Eshana
Anguli –finger Eshana
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DISCUSSION
Man used to live very close to nature in olden days and
observed keenly. The various surgical instruments developed
during those times were based on such observations and
hence named after animals, birds etc.
Eg: Simhamukha yantra,
kaaka mukha yantra
Present day the credit is given to the person who developed it or
invented it, hence modern surgical instruments are named
after the scientists or doctors who invented them.
Example: Mayos towel clip
Kochers forceps
Babcocks forceps
The numerous instruments mentioned in classics gives one a
free hand to develop or use an instrument based on
requirement.

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CONCLUSION

Susrutha was probably the first surgeon to describe different
types of surgical instruments.
 Susrutha’s concepts of surgical instruments, the description of
their quality, methods of manufacture and their usage are very
unique.
History provides us ample evidence of foreign invasion and taking
away with them ancient manuscripts related to surgery &
medicine.
 Some efficient surgeons of that time were also taken by the
foreigners to learn the science from them.
This might be one of the reasons for the resemblance of the
modern era instruments to those mentioned in our classics in one
or the other way.
Most of the instruments described by Susrutha can be correlated
to the instruments used in modern Surgery but with slight
modifications.
So indeed Susrutha adores the name ‘Father of Surgery’.

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THANK
YOU