AUTOPSY TECHNIQUES
PREPARED BY MR. ABHIJIT DAS
An autopsy is a medical
examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death, study
diseases, or provide legal evidence.
Indications:
1.
Cause of Death:
To find out the exact cause of death.
2.
Study Diseases:
To understand how diseases affected the body.
3.
Legal Cases:
Used in accidents or suspicious deaths.
4.
Education:
To teach medical students and professionals.
Pre-requisites:
1.
Consent:
Family permission or legal authorization.
2.
Documentation:
Death certificate and medical history.
3.
Preparation:
Proper identification.
4.
Trained Staff:
Performed by a pathologist in a well-equipped facility.
Collection and Storage of Organs
1.
Organ Removal:
o Rokitansky
Method: This method involves making incisions and examining
organs in situ (without removing them fully from the body).
o Virchow
Method: In this method, organs are removed one by one for detailed
examination. Each organ (brain, heart, lungs, liver, etc.) is dissected to
check for disease or injury.
2.
Examination:
After removal, organs are carefully examined for signs of disease, damage, or
abnormalities. This involves both external examination (size, shape, color) and internal inspection
(cutting into the organs to see structural changes).
3.
Sample Collection:
Small tissue samples from various organs are taken for histopathological
(microscopic) study. This helps in diagnosing specific diseases, such as cancer
or infections, by studying tissue changes at a cellular level.
4.
Storage:
o Formalin
Preservation: Organs or tissues are preserved in 10%
formalin, a solution that prevents decay and allows for future study.
o Frozen
Storage: In certain cases, tissues are frozen for biochemical
or molecular studies, such as genetic testing or microbiological analysis.
5.
Documentation:
Every organ and tissue sample collected is labeled with precise details, including patient
identification and the specific location from which the sample was taken.
This ensures proper tracking and helps maintain an accurate record for future
reference.