Accelerated Wound Healing Through Ayurvedic Herbal Formulation Post Sacrococcygeal Fistulectomy: A Case Study on Efficacy and Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

Sacrococcygeal fistulas are routinely managed by surgical excision; however, postoperative wound healing in this anatomical region remains challenging due to high infection risk, prolonged inflammation, and delayed tissue regeneration. This study evaluates the efficacy of an Ayurvedic herbal formulation in promoting wound healing following sacrococcygeal fistulectomy in a 25-year-old male patient. The formulation comprises a synergistic blend of bioactive ingredients: bromelain (50 mg), curcumin (50 mg), papaya extract (50 mg), nagdon (10 mg), neem (10 mg), aloe vera (10 mg), calendula oil (0.002 mg), and sunflower oil. In addition to standard postoperative care, the herbal formulation was applied topically to the surgical wound. Wound healing was systematically assessed over a 28-day period using the Wound Healing Index (WHI), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and serial photographic documentation, with bi-weekly evaluations to monitor infection, inflammation, granulation tissue formation, and overall wound closure. Results demonstrated a marked improvement in healing, with WHI scores increasing from 3 (indicative of poor healing) on Day 1 to 9 (optimal healing) by Day 28. Concurrently, pain intensity, as measured by VAS, decreased significantly from 7/10 on Day 1 to 1/10 by Day 14. Early granulation tissue formation was noted by Day 7, and complete epithelialization was achieved by Day 21 without any signs of infection. The observed therapeutic benefits are attributed to the anti-inflammatory and proteolytic actions of bromelain, curcumin, and papaya extract, alongside the antimicrobial and soothing properties of neem, aloe vera, and calendula oil, while sunflower oil provided a protective barrier. These findings suggest that the integrative use of this Ayurvedic herbal formulation may substantially enhance postoperative wound healing in sacrococcygeal fistulectomy cases. Further controlled clinical trials are warranted to validate these preliminary observations and to establish broader clinical applicability.