|
 |
| CLINICAL RESEARCH |
|
| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 34
| Issue : 2 | Page : 180-183 |
|
|
Clinical evaluation of Apamarga-Ksharataila Uttarabasti in the management of urethral stricture
K Rajeshwar Reddy
Associate Professor, Department of Shalya Tantra, R.A. Podar Medical (Ayu) College, Worli, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| Date of Web Publication | 10-Oct-2013 |
Correspondence Address:
K Rajeshwar Reddy
Surana Regancy, Flat No-403, Sasmira Road, Near Worli Bus Depo, Worli, Mumbai - 400 030, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.119674
 Abstract | | |
Stricture urethra, though a rare condition, still is a rational and troublesome problem in the international society. Major complications caused by this disease are obstructed urine flow, urine stasis leading to urinary tract infection, calculi formation, etc. This condition can be correlated with Mutramarga Sankocha in Ayurveda. Modern medical science suggests urethral dilatation, which may cause bleeding, false passage and fistula formation in few cases. Surgical procedures have their own complications and limitations. Uttarabasti, a para-surgical procedure is the most effective available treatment in Ayurveda for the diseases of Mutravaha Strotas. In the present study, total 60 patients of urethral stricture were divided into two groups and treated with Uttarabasti (Group A) and urethral dilatation (Group B). The symptoms like obstructed urine flow, straining, dribbling and prolongation of micturation were assessed before and after treatment. The results of the study were significant on all the parameters. Keywords: Mutramarga Sankocha, stricture urethra, urethral dilatation, Uttarabasti
How to cite this article:
Reddy K R. Clinical evaluation of Apamarga-Ksharataila Uttarabasti in the management of urethral stricture. AYU 2013;34:180-3 |
| Introduction | |  |
From the study of ancient surgical text, Sushruta Samhita, it becomes evident that urological problems are an important part of medical sciences even during those days. It may be the reason that a clear and striking picture regarding their classification, symptomatology, complications and management are explained in all the classical texts. The earliest description about the afflictions of urinary tract can be traced back to Atharva Veda. Comprehensive description regarding Mutraghata and its treatment with the use of Loha Shalaka give as an account of knowledge that our ancestors had anatomical, physiological, pathological and therapeutic aspects of the human body. [1] As per Ayurvedic Sharira Rachana, Mutravaha Srotas includes Vrukka (kidney), Gavini (ureter), Mutrashaya (urinary bladder) and Mutramarga (urethra). Ashtanga Hridaya defines that urination is the function of Vata, and its vitiation settles in disturbed urinary functions. [2]
Sushruta has described 12 varieties of Mutraghata which is classified on the basis of dominance of Doshas, but Vata is the basic Dosha for all varieties of Mutraghata. [3] It is a condition in consequence with some kind of obstructive uropathy, mechanical or functional; related either to upper or lower urinary tract resulting into either partial or complete retention of urine as well as oliguria or anuria. The present study is concerned with the Mutramarga Sankocha, a condition afflicting Mutravaha Srotas. In this condition, there is obstructed urine flow, straining, dribbling and prolonged micturation. [4] In such condition Uttarabasti of medicated oils is the most effective available treatment described by the seers of Ayurveda.
Mutramarga Sankocha can be correlated with stricture urethra. Pathologically it becomes narrowed by a fibrotic tissue, which hampers excretion of urine. In modern science, the suggested treatment is urethral dilatation besides surgical treatment. It may cause bleeding, false passage and fistula formation. The surgical intervention like urethroplasty also carries high grade risk of recurrences. [5] Though the science has developed in many directions, it is unable to provide satisfactory treatment to patients without any complications and recurrences.
Seers highlighted the use of Uttarabasti in the management of Mutramarga Sankocha. Previous researches also highlighted that, Uttarabasti is effective in providing symptomatic relief in urethral stricture without any side effects. [6],[7] The current study re-establishes the effect of Uttarabasti of medicated oil (Apamarga Ksharataila) in the management of urethral stricture.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Sixty patients of urethral stricture satisfying inclusion criteria as described below were diagnosed, selected for the study and scrutinized before and after investigation over a period of 5 years with the approval of Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC). These patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Thirty patients in Group A were treated with Apamarga Ksharataila Uttarabasti and remaining 30 in Group B were treated with urethral dilatation. Computer generated randomization chart was used to generate randomization chart.
An understanding of the procedure was given to patients about the study, and a written consent was taken from the patients prior to participation in the trial. Ethical clearance was sought from the IEC of R. A. Podar Medical College, Worli, Mumbai (No. 7967 dated 15.6.2010).
Inclusion criteria
Patients of either sex of age 15-50 years with history of stricture urethra of mild to moderate symptoms were selected for the study.
Exclusion criteria
Patients of impacted calculus in the urethra and bladder neck, benign prostyatic hyperplesia, diabetes mellitus, nephrotic syndrome and neoplasm of lower urinary tract, congenital and severely symptomatic stricture urethra, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reactive and hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) reactive patients were excluded from the study.
Apamarga Ksharataila
The test formulation Apamarga Ksharataila was prepared by following standard guidelines of Bahishajya Ratnavali in the laboratory. [8] The finished product was packed in sterile containers to avoid possibilities of contamination.
Posology
To start with 5 ml instillation of Taila into the urethra on 1 st day, was increased to 10 ml for the rest of the period. As seen in the literary review, the duration of Uttarabasti should be 3 days or more with an interval of 3 days and repeated again. Thus, 7 or 11 sittings of 21 or 33 days with the gap of 3 days in between, for instillation of medicine were decided.
The procedure was scheduled in the morning and immediate follow-up taken after 3 days up to seven or 11 sittings as per symptom score. Follow-up was done up to 6 months fortnightly. 1 st day 1 st sitting and 4 th day 2 nd sitting likewise total 7 sittings in 21 days were given as per the necessity and 11 sittings in 33 days.
For the patients of Group B, intermittent urethral dilatation with bougies was done biweekly for 1 week, weekly for 1 month and fortnightly for 3 months. Follow-up was done for 6 months.
Assessment criteria
Incomplete emptying, frequency, weak stream, dribbling and straining were assessed during the course of study. Symptoms were assessed before and after the treatment and percentage of relief was calculated based on scoring pattern of symptoms [Table 1].
Routine blood investigations
Complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood sugar level (fasting and post lunch), urine routine and microscopic, Bleeding Time and Clotting Time T, HIV I and II, HbsAg, Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test, Serum creatinin and blood urea nitrogen. The investigations were also done to exclude underlying pathology. As per necessity ascending urethrogram and ultrasonography (USG) before and after the treatment were done.
Scoring pattern
0-5 = Mildly symptomatic
6-10 = Moderately symptomatic
11-15 = Severely symptomatic.
Total effect of therapy
The effect of therapy was assessed in terms of cured, markedly improved, improved, and unchanged.
Cured = 75-100% relief from all signs and symptoms
Markedly improved = 50-75% relief
Improved = 25-50% relief
Unchanged = <25% relief.
| Observations and Results | | |
It is observed that, stricture urethra is more prevalent in the age group of 21-40 years and much more prevalent in males than in females.
According to gradation of uretral stricture, in Group A, 47% patients had mild, and 53% had moderate symptoms. In Group B, 53% had mild, and 47% had moderate urethral stricture. Majority of the patients (63.33%) in Group A had stricture due to the gonorrhea while 22.33% due to instrumentation and 13.33% due to trauma. Similarly, in Group B, 65.67% patients had stricture due to gonorrhea, 33.33% due to instrumentation and 10% patients due to trauma. Thus, it can be interpreted that gonorrhea is the commonest cause of stricture in the society and next commonest cause is instrumentation due to indwelling catheters. In this study, it was seen that the stricture is seen most commonly at bulbar urethra than membranous and prostatic urethra.
Registered patients of Group A have expressed 71.87% relief in incomplete emptying, while, it was 76.74% in Group B. Frequency was improved by 70.37% in Group A and in Group B, was 72.41%. Weak stream was cured by 69.23% in Group A, and in Group B it was cured by 75%. Dribbling was not reported by 71.11% in Group A and 78.37% in Group B.
Straining was not found in 73.17% patients after treatment in Group A while 76.74% patients didn't report it in Group B.
On overall observation, patients of Group B showed better response in comparison to Group A by the end of the treatment. However, recurrence of symptoms was observed in both groups. The percentage of recurrences was more in case of Group B than Group A. Based on this, it can be said that, Group A provides better effect with minimal chances of recurrences.
Total effect of therapy observed in 30 patients in Group A
Fifteen patients showed 75-100% relief in the symptoms. 11 patients were markedly improved.
Four patients were improved in the symptoms. None of patients were found to get relief below 25% immediately after completion of therapy.
Total effect of therapy observed in 30 patients in Group B
Nineteen patients showed 75-100% relief. Nine patients were markedly improved. Two patients were found to be improved. None of the patients were found to get relief below 25% immediately after completion of therapy.
After 6 months of follow-up relief observed in 30 patients of Group A
Ten patients showed 75-100% cured in the symptoms. 11 patients were markedly improved.
Seven patients were improved in the symptoms. Two patients were found to get relief below 25%.
After 6 months of follow-up relief observed in 30 patients of Group B
Nine patients showed 75-100% relief in the symptoms. Five patients were markedly improved.
Sixteen patients were found to get relief below 25%.
Assessment of therapy by urethrogram and USG
After treatment by Uttarabasti significant changes were observed. Size of stricture was reduced as well as residual volume of urine was reduced.
| Discussion | | |
Mutramarga Sankocha is a clinical entity where in vitiation of Vata Dosha specifically of Apana Vayu, sheltered in the Basti and Medhra occurs. Hetu-Sevana results in Vikruti of Apana Vayu in consequence to this, Chala, Ruksha, Khara Guna increases resulting into Sansaktata of Mutramarga and hence the Mutramarga Sankocha. There is a synergistic action of Apamarga Ksharodaka Siddha Taila and action of the Uttarabasti. Apamarga Kshara in the Taila form has the properties of the Lekhana and Ksharana.[9] Therefore, it might be resulting into the Ksharana and Lekhana of Mutramarga gata sansaktata. The Ushna and Snigdha Guna of Tila Taila pacifies the increased Rukshatwa, Kharatwa and Chalatwa of Apana Vayu, restoring its normal function and thus brings about Stroto Shodhana and local Snehana actions.
The study drug is directly instilled into the urethra, a known Sthana of Vayu, which gives direct access to the seat of Srotovaigunya and Dosha Dushya Sammurchhana. This directly acts on the Vikruta Vayu and breaks the Samprapti.
| Conclusion | | |
The study revealed that, Apamarga Ksharataila Uttarabasti is as good as that of dilatation technique. As recurrence with Apamarga Ksharataila Uttarabasti is significantly lesser, it is an ideal minimal invasive treatment in urethral stricture in an Indian setup and may be preferred in comparison to the dilatation methods. It is proposed that, continuing the treatment for a longer period with proper follow-up may avoid or postpone further complications.
| Acknowledgments | | |
Author would like to thank Dr. K. R. Kohli, Dean and Director of Ayurveda for the support and providing opportunity to conduct the study. Support of Dr. P. U. Deshmukh is also acknowledged herewith. Assistance extended by my students are unparalleled, that are being acknowledged.
| References | | |
| 1. | Athavale BV. Urology in Ayuveda. Delhi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Prakashana; 2004. p. 212. 
|
| 2. | Vagbhata, Asthanga Hridaya, Vidyotini Tika, Sutra Sthana 12/9. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrita Santhan; 2007. p. 90.
|
| 3. | Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tatvasandipika Hindi Commentary, Uttara Tantra 58/3-4. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrita Santhan; 2002. p. 423.
|
| 4. | Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Ayurved Tatvasandipika Hindi Commentary, Uttar Tantra, 58/15-16. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrita Santhan; 2002. p. 425.
|
| 5. | Al-Qudah HS, Santucci RA. Extended complications of urethroplasty. Int Braz J Urol 2005;31:315-23.
[PUBMED] |
| 6. | Amilkanthwar RH. Role of Uttarbasti in the management of Mutra Marga Sankoch (urethral stricture). Indian J Tradit Knowl 2004;3:177-81.
|
| 7. | Dudhamal TS, Gupta SK, Bhuyan C. Case report: Management of urethral stricture with Uttara Basti. Anc Sci Life 2010;30:51-3.
[PUBMED] |
| 8. | Ambikadatta Shastri, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Vidyotini Hindi Commentary, Varanasi: Karnaroga Chikitsa 62/25. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrita Santhan; 2002. p. 682.
|
| 9. | Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tatvasandipika Hindi Commentary, Sutra Sthana 11/4. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrita Santhan; 2002. p. 34.
|
[Table 1]
|
