Kshar Sutra and Fistula in Ano

This book deals with the treatment of "Fistula in ano", a disease difficult to treat and cure. From the time immemorial many methods and techniques have been developed but recurrence of the fistula was still there. Even surgery failed in about 50% of cases. The surgeons in ancient Indian also faced this problem and tried surgery which was not rewarding. So they developed the technique of KSHAR SUTRA (a thread smeared with medicines) which is placed in this track and produces chemical cauterization of unhealthy granulation tissues and in turn promotes healing. The results were successful nearly 100%. Though this technique was forgotten because of foreign rule which destroyed the libraries of this country and killed the intelligentsia, but is was again after independence around the year 1965 that Prof. P. J. Deshpande, head of Shalya Shalakya Deptt. I.M.S. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi established successfully and scientifically, the role of Kshar Sutra in the treatment of "Fistula in ano" the dreaded disease. The author worked with Prof. Deshpande under his direct guidance and learned the technique during 1965-68 and this book is the result of treating thousands of patients successfully without any recurrence.

Dr. K.K. Thakral was born on 1938 in the village Sabowal, Distt_ Sargodha, now in Pakistan. The family shifted to Yamuna Nagar, Haryana during partition of the country. After passing intermediate with science he graduated from state Ayurvedic college, Luclmow in 1964 obtaining Bachelor of Ayurveda with Modern Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.M.S.) degree from Lucknow University in First position. He obtained his P.G. degree D. Ay. M. (Shalya Shalakaya, i.e. surgery and E.N.T.) from B.H.U. Varanasi in 1968 in first position. He served as Lecturer, reader, Professor (Shalya) in various state Ayurvedic colleges of U.P. Then he served as Principal and Dean, Faculty of Ayurveda, Kanpur University for 5 years. He was invited to work as Asstt. Research Surgeon, Deptt. of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, U.S.A. for two years and conducted higher research in wound healing. He worked as Director, Ayurveda and Unani and Director, Ayurveda and Unani (Syllabus evaluation) during 1995-1996, U.P. He has published 56 research papers out of which 12 are in foreign journals. He has guided Ph.D. and M.D. thesis, and has published a book entitled 'Shalya tantra ke siddhanta'. He was moderator, Publication division C.C.I.M. New Delhi. He worked as member of Ayurved advisory committee, U.P., C.C.I.M. New Delhi, Education committee C.C.I.M., National task force on Kshar Sutra, Dept. of AYUSH, Deptt. of Ayush, Ministry of Health & F.W. govt. of India. He worked as expert member, Public Service commission, Uttra Khand, and B.H.U. Varanasi. He has delivered 52 guest lectures during C.M.E. and R.O.T.P. programmes. He was awarded Ayurved Ratnakar in 1991, Ayurved Brahaspati in 1992 and National Herbal Protection award, Global open university in 2010. He represented India during International conference, Juntendo University, Japan in 1992 and also was Chief guest JapanAyurved Society, in 1992. He has rendered social services in Bronchial asthma relief camps-47. Handicapped service camps-4 and Eye relief camps-15. He has been awarded Fellow of International College of Angiology, U.S.A.-1979, Fellow of Academy of Indian Medicine-B.H.U.- 1997 and Fellow of Rashtriya Ayurved Vidyapeeth- (F.R.A.V.) New Delhi-2001, and worked as GURV for 3 years. After his retirement as Director, Ayurveda and Unani, U.P. he is running his own specialized Kshar Sutra Clinic and serving the humanity.

It gives me immense pleasure to write the foreword for the Textbook "Kshar Sutra and Fistula in ano" written by Dr. K.K. Thakral, a wonderful teacher, mentor and administrator. There is hardly any text book on fistula in ano, by Indian author though a few by Western, but mostly on Modern Medicine. This book is comprehensive on the subject as it deals not only the treatment but starts with basic anatomy, physiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical evaluation and the systematic approach to treat the fistulas by the Kshar Sutra- the one of the time tested method of Indian Medicine. Dr. Thakaral's vast experience and knowledge of Indian medicine (Ayurveda) and his specialization in Surgery (Shalya) have a real impact on each and every chapter of the textbook. His hard work and effort and to disseminate his knowledge and experience on fistula in ano and Kshar Sutra; this textbook will help students, teachers and practicing surgeons in a great way. I am sure this may attract surgeons across the various disciplines of medicine and even overseas surgeons, interested in Kshar Sutra. I congratulate Dr. Thakral and wish him sucess in his effort.

**Contents and Sample Pages**