Opening, autopsy: how is the procedure

Description autopsy

Opening – surgical procedure for the study of the body and its internal organs after death.

Reasons for autopsy

An autopsy is not always done after death. It can be performed at the request of the family or doctor. The reasons may be as follows autopsy:

• It is necessary to ascertain the health status of the deceased to death;
• An autopsy helps determine the exact cause of death;
• An autopsy performed to address legal or medical problems.

How is an autopsy?

Preparation for the procedure

To perform the autopsy the body must be identified and must have permission, signed by the next of kin. Before opening the body is transported to the morgue and found in the refrigeration system.

Description of the procedure of opening

Opening sequence is usually next:

• Visual inspection – measured body, and fixed any abnormalities;
• Autopsy:
  • The skin is performed Y-shaped incision, starting from the front end of each arm, reaching the navel, and falling down to the pubic bone. Skin, muscle and soft tissue is then separated from the chest wall;
  • Each side of the chest is cut saw to provide access to the heart and lungs;
  • The abdominal muscle is removed to access the abdominal organs;
  • Removing organs – using special techniques, required for research, organs are cut and separated from the body. All agencies (heart, lungs, liver, intestines, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, and pelvic organs), as well as the major arteries are studied individually. They weigh, wash, and, where appropriate dismembered. Some tissue samples may be selected for further study in the laboratory.
• Removal of the brain – scalp incision runs deep. The section starts from one ear, It passes through the top of the head and ends the other ear. Skin and soft tissues are separated from the bones of the skull. The electric saw is used, to cut the skull. The brain is removed and placed in a special solution for up to two weeks. This helps to keep the brain and prevents damage.

Upon completion of the autopsy on the body sections are sewn back together. The procedures differ in respect of – dismembered bodies can be placed back into the body or incinerated. If the bodies are not placed back into the body, undertaker puts filler in the cavity of the body, to maintain its shape.

Immediately after the opening procedure

Tissue samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results are usually available within a few weeks, and a final autopsy report, usually, completed after 30-60 days.

How long does the procedure of opening?

The autopsy typically takes 2-4 o'clock, depending on the causes of death and complexity.