Doctors in Meerut have successfully pulled off what they call "the world's first" ayurvedic surgery upon an 83-year-old-man, reported ANI. This new development could change the face of alternative medicine and give a major boost to Ayurveda which has been on a dwindling trajectory. What is meant when we say the term Ayurvedic surgery? In every surgery, antibiotics are used before, during and after the procedure. But in this particular surgery, the 240-gram prostate was removed from the body of the patient, Ojaswi Sharma, without the use of antibiotics.

Instead, the doctors used ayurvedic herbs, such as Amla (Indian gooseberry), turmeric, shigru (drumstick) and guggul (gum resin) during the surgery.

"The patient was allergic to antibiotics and therefore, a panel of doctors decided to go in for ayurvedic drugs as an alternative," Dr. Subhash Yadav, a Urologist with Anand Hospital told ANI.

And it worked out!

It was on March 1 that at the four-hours operation was conducted at Meerut's Anand Hospital and the patient responded well to ayurvedic drugs. After the operation, Sharma was kept under observation for a month and is said to have fully recovered now.

What does it mean for the future of Ayurveda?

"This is a very interesting development," said Dr. Ram Manohar, Research Director at Amrita School of Ayureda in Kerala. "It is an eye opener in this period when resistance is being developed for antibiotics. This case points to the need for more studies to explore the potential contributions of Ayurveda in many areas of challenge."