A comparative study of aspiration followed by Agnikarma with aspiration in the management of ganglion - A randomized clinical trial

Background: Classical texts explain the Agnikarma in detail for the management and eradication of various ailments with the limitation to understand its application and standardized methodology for each ailment. Ganglions are the most common cystic swellings, especially found in dorsum aspect of wrist which is well known for recurrence. Hence, to avoid the complications of surgery and to reduce the social burden of the patient, an effort is made to establish and modify the Agnikarma methodology in ganglion. Methods: 30 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria of ganglion were randomly selected and divided into Group 1 and Group 2 comprising of 15 patients each. Clinical sign and symptoms were given suitable grades according to their severity and assessed based on relief after treatment. The results showing P value < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant in this study. Results: After the treatment by Agnikarma on post-operative first day there was no change in pain, size of swelling was significantly resolved by 100% and tenderness was significantly increased. Complete relief (100%) was found in pain, size of swelling and tenderness on post-operative Seventh day. On first month size of swelling was increased by 28%. Pain was significantly reduced after three months by 92% and size of swelling was increased by 43%. Interpretation and Conclusion: Recurrence was seen in the patients treated with Agnikarma but there was significantly reduction in the size after three months This technique avoids the scar mark to the cosmetic area compared with conventional ganglionectomy Hence, this technique can be still modified for minimal invasive technique