A Punjab based doctor Dr. Hitendra Suri treated a complex fistula, which was an abnormal connection between the anal canal and feet, using ayurvedic techniques. This has set a new world record as the fistula he treated was 117 cm long. Dr Suri is a proprietor of Rana Hospital and had used Ayurvedic Kshar Sutra Technology and was also honored for his contribution to the medical community in Dubai. According to the Cleveland Clinic, an anal fistula is like a small tunnel that forms between the inside of your anus and the skin around it. It usually starts when tiny glands inside your anus get infected. This infection, called an abscess, creates a pocket of pus. When this pus drains, it can form a tunnel, which is the fistula. This condition is fairly common, especially in men. If you get an infected anal gland, there's a good chance you'll develop a fistula. In fact, most anal fistulas start from these infected glands that turn into abscesses. The complexity of treating a 117 cm fistula lies in its length, multiple tracts, and high recurrence rate. Traditional surgical methods often fail to provide lasting relief, leading to repeated procedures and ongoing suffering for patients. What Is Ayurvedic Kshar Sutra Therapy As Kshar Sutra Therapy is an ancient Ayurvedic technique that uses a medicated thread coated with herbal alkaline extracts. This method is considered highly effective, safe, and minimally invasive compared to traditional surgery. It is known to prevent recurrence and minimize complications. Modern medical science also recognizes its effectiveness in treating complex anorectal diseases.How Does This Work?First, the area is numbed. Then, a special medicated thread is placed inside the fistula (the abnormal tunnel). The ends of the thread are tied together. This thread is changed every week. It slowly works to clean out the fistula, allowing it to close and heal. This treatment is less invasive and cheaper than surgery, and there's very little risk of problems like losing control of your bowels. A tube is used to guide the medicated thread through the fistula. The thread is then tied off. This sounds a bit complicated, but it's done carefully to make sure the thread is placed correctly. There are studies that have shown this Ayurvedic technique is very effective in multiple ways. What Did The Study Show?A study published in the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine compared the two methods. Half got surgery, and half got the thread treatment. Most patients were men in their 30s. Most fistulas were between the anal muscles. People who had surgery had more severe pain after the operation. People with the thread treatment had more wound discharge. Both groups had similar rates of wound scarring, bleeding, and infection. The thread treatment took longer to heal, but people could return to work much sooner. Also, the thread treatment was less painful and much cheaper. The study concluded that the Ksharasutra thread treatment is a simple, low-risk, and affordable way to treat anal fistulasResearchers discovered that Kshar Sutra therapy is a very effective treatment for fistulas. As compared to other methods, it has a low chance of the fistula coming back. It's also a simple outpatient procedure, meaning you don't have to stay in the hospital. Compared to surgery, it's less expensive and has fewer complications. Surgery often requires more recovery time and has a higher risk of the fistula returning, or causing incontinence.