Kshara Sutra

Kshara sutra threading procedure (Operative procedure):

1. Spinal anesthesia is induced by the Anesthetist.
2. The patient is made to lie on the operation table in Lithotomy position.
3. The perianal area is cleaned with Savlon and spirit followed by Betadine painting.
4. The outer area is covered with sterile cloth, leaving the anal area open.
5. Digital examination done to locate any induration, internal opening and to exclude other lesions.
6. Probing is done through a malleable probe to locate the internal opening with the index finger of other hand inside the anus. If internal opening is located, the probe is pushed out through the anal verge and the track is threaded loosely by Kshara sutra. However if internal opening couldn’t be located it is made inside the anal canal at a point which offer least resistance to the tip of the probe. Again Kshara sutra threading of the track is done loosely.
7.  10 ml. of Jatyadi oil is pushed inside the rectum and sterilized gauze is applied on the anus covering the external opening.
8.  T-bandage is tied to keep the dressing in proper position.
9.  Thereafter the patient is shifted to the ward.

Post Kshara sutra threading management (Post operative):

1. Nil orally for 4 hours
2. Give liquid diet after that to avoid any type of inconvenience.
3. Monitor the vitals
4. If operation is done under spinal anaesthesia, to avoid   complication give head-low position for 12 hours.
5. Jatyadi oil P/R OD
6. Hot sitz bath with panchvalkal kwath 8 hourly
7. To avoid hard stool, give mild laxative to the patient
8. If pain is excessive, urinary retention occurred, it is managed accordingly.

Post Kshara sutra threading complications:

1. Retention of urine – it has been observed that within 8 to 10 hours after ligation, some of the patients complain of retention of urine which can be tackled by frequent sitz bath in lukewarm panchvalkala kwatha or simple warm water. Catheterization is seldom required.
2. Local irritation – In some of the patients local i.e. perianal irritation is seen which needs frequent use of oil application and hot sitz bath etc.
3. Abscess formation – In some of the patients (especially who was suffered from interno-external piles), abscess formation takes place which was managed with local application of Dashang lepa with Goghrita.
4. Haemorrhage – Alarming type of haemorrhage is not a rule with Kshara sutra treatment. However in some of the cases slight oozing may be seen which need no special care except the usual routine line of management, viz. avoidance of hard stool and much straining during defecation.

Weekly change of the sutra: – Kshara-sutra applied initially is kept for 7 days after which it is replaced by a fresh Kshara-sutra by Rail Road Technique. This procedure is repeated every week till the track completely cut through and if there is any unhealthy granulous tissue, it is scrapped-off during this weekly follow-up to promote a better healing.

Mode of action of Kshara sutra:

Kshara sutra works by pressure necrosis, chemical cauterization by kshar (alkali) and sloughing of the tissue of the walls of the fistulous track along with adequate drainage. It leads to an easy debridement of unhealthy tissue and pus etc. and thus providing a cleaner base for the wound healing of the fistulous track. The Kshara-sutra is changed weekly so that an average pace of cutting of about 0.5-0.8 cm/week is maintained along with healing from behind. Finally the whole track is cut through and the fistula gets healed up with minimal scarring and without any other major complication.

Pathya-apathya (Diet and routinely activities):

From the very first day of Kshara sutra threading procedure, light diet like Khichri is advised. Patient is also advised to take plenty of fluids, blend diet, green vegetables, salad and seasonal fruits. Patient is further advised to avoid spicy and fried food and not to strain during defecation.