Anatomical exploration of Sushrutokta sites of Siravyadha in Upper Extremities

Abstract

Ayurveda is a holistic healthcare system of medicine which is more than 5000 year old. Sushruta known as Father of Surgery has described various surgical procedure along with some parasurgical measure. Raktamokshana is the one of the principal Shodhana therapy in Ayuveda. Acharya Sushruta advocate that if all the fivefold purificatory process cannot be performed due to lack of time then ever Raktamoskhana can serve the purpose. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned Siravyadhana most important method where Raktamoskhana is indicate and considered as Ardhachikitsa^[1] Siravyadha is found very rarely used in Ayurvedic practise, may be because of lack of experience about the basic concept of Sharia  like Vedhya - Avedhya Sira, the exact sites where Shastra Patana can be done and also the other vital structures to be avoid from injury during the procedures. Siravyadha at a specific site according to different diseases is important part of this therapy. As Acharya Sushruta has mentioned specific sites of Siravyadha for various disease in Sharira Sthana,^[2] it appear surprising why Sushruta has mentioned particular sites for Siravyadha in different diseases, why can't common sites is selected in all diseases. So, considering its importance a comprehensive study is done to identify and locate Sira of Vyadhana Sthana on basis of available literature. The study is limited to upper extremities.