Management of postaxial polydactyly by “Ksharsutra”: A minimally invasive Ayurvedic parasurgical procedure

Polydactyly is a most common congenital hand defects in which the hand has one or more extra fingers, commonly seen postaxial, that is, on the small finger side. It is usually treated by surgically removing the extra finger typically, when the child is between 1 and 2 years old. Prognosis after removal of extra digit is good if it occurs in isolation though not devoid of complications like scar formation, stiffness, instability, and late deformity which may need additional reconstructive surgery to recover full function and improve the hand's appearance. I have used “Ksharsutra,” an Ayurvedic-medicated thread coated with herbal alkaline drugs having simultaneous cutting and healing property, to remove extra finger in a child, whose parents were not willing to undergo surgery and asked for alternative treatment. “Ksahrsutra ligation” showed excellent result in postaxial polydactyly. The extra finger started necrosing within 24 hours and sloughed out in just 9 days with minimal scar formation. After observing the prognosis, I believe that more cases should be done to establish and promote this unique parasurgical procedure, “Ksharsutra” in the management of polydactyly.