To Study the Effect of Ksharavarti in the management of Pilonidal Sinus – A Case Study

Abstract

Pilonidal Sinus also known as "Jeep drivers' bottom," is an acquired disease driven by the embedding of loose hair within hair follicles and unhealthy diseased granulation tissue usually located in the natal cleft. In Ayurveda, Nadi Vrana is a chronic tubular sinus tract; "Nadi" means "a reed," and "Vrana" denotes "an ulcer." Sushruta has described that if Vrana-Shopha is not timely drained in Pakkawavastha or if it is neglected at a particular stage, then it invades into deeper tissues, resulting in the formation of Nadi Vrana. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned eight types of sinuses as Nadi Vrana. Among these, Pilonidal sinus can be considered under Shalyaj Nadi Vrana i.e sinus due to foreign body. He had explained Shastra Chikitsa with the intervention of Kshara Varti as one of the treatment for Nadi Vrana (sinuses). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Kshara Varti in the management of Pilonidal sinus, which is a minimally invasive Ayurvedic parasurgical procedure for managing Pilonidal sinus, acting as a safe alternative to surgery. A 20-year-old male patient with complaints of painful swelling over natal cleft and pus discharge through it, diagnosed as pilonidal sinus was treated with Ksharavarti insertion into the sinus for 14 days, which was cured and No recurrence or No any complaint were found in the patient during follow up.