An analysis into the trends of reconstructive surgery in Gudiyatham Taluk, a leprosy control area.

The trends in Reconstructive Surgery in Gudiyatham Taluk, an area where an effective Leprosy Control Programme has been in progress since 1963, were analysed. Over the years 1962-79, it is shown that there is a decline in the number of Reconstructive surgical operations in Karigiri, on patients from the Control area, even though the new case detection rate and the total number of operations from both control and non-control areas remained high. The decline in the number of Reconstructive Surgery on patients from a Control area, provides a reliable index to judge the efficacy of a Leprosy Control Programme.