An illustrated analysis of Karna Sandhana (Otoplasty) technique of Susruta in reference to the conventional techniques

This paper presents an approach to learn how to scrutinize the ancient procedures and to sketch out the ideology used in each surgical step. For a young student of Ayurveda, such an insight will help the student to understand our science, especially the surgical approach, better by providing light to the clouded areas in Ayurveda. Among the various aspects which were dealt by Susruta related to surgical approach, a technique which stands out is the Sandhana technique. With regard to ear or Karna, two types of restorative surgeries can be seen. First is the partial ear reconstruction in which either completely or partially separated cut lobule/ part of pinna is brought back together and the second is the complete ear reconstruction. While 15 types of conditions requiring Karna is mentioned, 10 of which are said to be treatable, the procedure of how each condition is to be managed, is not well understood. Here, the authors have looked into Karna Sandhana and have analysed the procedure critically to gain an in depth understanding of the procedure and how this can be compared to the modern counterpart, Lobuloplasty and Otoplasty. Illustration of the surgical conditions along with the need to determine the specific approach in each case have been added for easier comprehension of the same.