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Postmortem Examination

A postmortem examination, or autopsy, is a systematic examination of a deceased person's remains to determine the cause of death and any underlying diseases. It can provide valuable information for medical education, legal evidence, and family health concerns. The process involves external and internal examinations, and there are two main types: hospital postmortems, which require consent, and coroner's postmortems, which are mandated by law.

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316 views8 pages

Postmortem Examination

A postmortem examination, or autopsy, is a systematic examination of a deceased person's remains to determine the cause of death and any underlying diseases. It can provide valuable information for medical education, legal evidence, and family health concerns. The process involves external and internal examinations, and there are two main types: hospital postmortems, which require consent, and coroner's postmortems, which are mandated by law.

Uploaded by

ytmusic3267
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION

1
Learning outcome
2

 Define postmortem examination


 Discuss the benefits of postmortem examination
 Explain the types postmortem examination
 Discuss the steps involved in postmortem examination
 Challenges
Definition
3

Postmortem examination (after death) also referred to as autopsy (to see for
oneself) is the systematic examination of the remains of a patient to determine the
extent of disease, the effect of treatment and the presence of an unrecognized
ailment that could have contributed to the demise of the patient.

It is an exercise, practice by ancient Egyptians as far back as 17th century as a


religious practice of mummification (preserving of dead or organ wrapped in linen
bandages)
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 In external examination, the absence of injuries may be as relevant to the case as


the presence of injuries. Areas to check include: face, conjunctivae, labia mucosa,
neck, anterior surface of the body, posterior surface of the body, dorsum of the
hands, palms of the hands, wrists etc.

 In internal examination, the neck, head, chest, abdomen and pelvis is examined
after special dissection

 Postmortem examination begins with macroscopic examination of organs and


tissues followed by histopathological examination of samples which are
embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned, stained and examined under a microscope
Benefits of postmortem examination
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 Provides information that establishes the cause of death


 To ascertain the time of death
 In the identification of the body
 Provide relevant information for medical education and research
 Helps the family of the deceased by identifying inheritable issues
 Provide legal evidence
Types
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 Hospital postmortem: also called consented post-mortem examination. This


is usually requested by a doctor or relatives to confirm a diagnosis or
understand the cause of death. It requires a full signed consent of a person in
a qualifying relationship with the deceased for this to be carried out.

 Coroner's postmortem: This is required by a coroner when a death is


sudden, unexplained, or suspicious. These are investigations required by law
and do not require the agreement of a person in a qualifying relationship with
the deceased. Findings of such investigation may be use at an inquest.
Steps involved in postmortem examination
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 It is best if performed within 24 hours of death and before embalmment


 *Gather as much information as possible about the deceased*
 External examination of the deceased
 Dissection and internal examination
 Organs are return to the body cavity and the body is sewed back together
 Final report is made giving findings of the examination and cause of death
Challenges in postmortem examination
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 Religion and cultural belief


 Financial cost
 Lack of enabling hospital policies
 Interpretation of findings
 Administrative bottlenecks

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