The primary focus of Ayurveda is on natural healing and non-invasive treatment methods. The Sushrut Samhita, a textbook (Samhita) of surgery, i.e., Shalyatantra, describes many surgical procedures in cases where conservative measures may not be efficient. Surgical intervention in Ayurveda is known as Shastrakarma. Acharya Sushruta is considered the 'Father of Surgery.' The Sushrut Samhita is considered as a part of the Atharvaveda. Acharya Sushruta describes 60 treatment modalities for wounds and 120 types of surgical instruments. Ayurvedic surgical procedures are based on a holistic approach to healing. The patient's constitution and the stage of the disease are taken into consideration for postoperative recovery. Ayurvedic surgery is typically considered for specific conditions such as tumors, abscesses, piles, fistula, cataracts, rhinoplasty, etc. Ayurvedic surgery involves various techniques, collectively known as Ashtavidh Shastrakarma, which includes incision, excision, scraping, puncturing, probing, extraction, drainage, and suturing. The use of special instruments, along with herbal medicines for pre- and postoperative care, is widely described in Ayurvedic texts. Herbal and mineral-based combinations of formulations were used for anesthesia. Special techniques of para-surgical procedures, such as Ksharkarma, Agnikarma, Siravedha, and Jalaukavacharana, are described and widely practiced by Ayurvedic practitioners to treat many patients. Acharya Sushruta treated various cases of plastic surgery, such as Nasa Sandhan (Rhinoplasty), Karna Sandhan (Otoplasty), Oshtha Sandhan, etc. He is known as the originator of plastic surgery. In ancient times, plastic surgery was widely practiced in India. Complicated surgeries like cataract operations, organ transplants (with respect to artificial limbs), fractures, urinary stones, etc., along with their complications, are described in the Sushrut Samhita. Most historians and scholars agree that the first reconstructive plastic surgery on the living was found described in ancient Indian texts.

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