Development of a new skin incision for conduct of conventional autopsy

Abstract

Background: Since the practice of conventional autopsy, one new method for skin incision as "fourth incision" has been added to the preexisting conventional methods of skin incisions, i.e., "I"/"Y"/modified "Y". Reconstitution of conventional skin incisions leave visible defect (disfigurement) on the dead body which gets enhanced with invariable use of additional confirmatory or releasing incisions. Mutilation in form of disfigurement of the dead body is a major reason for legal heirs to withdraw the consent for pathological or clinical autopsy and is leading to worldwide significant drop in the rate of pathological autopsies. This study was formulated to develop a new course of skin incision for autopsy with the aim to minimize the visible defect and to obviate the need of extra incisions and so that it is time friendly for autopsy surgeons. Result: On practicing this course of skin incision, the authors of study have noticed its advantages as it is cosmetically effective and time friendly and offers 100% operational area with single incision in continuity in comparison to other advocated methods. Conclusion:Its acceptability with its inherent advantages to autopsy surgeons and legal heirs of the dead body may increase the tendency to give desired informed consent for pathological autopsy. However, the validation of our method of skin incision in terms of different surgical and observer components is required to remove any bias regarding noticed advantages.

Medicolegal Autopsy

“…Few authors also advised fifth or another incision [6] to reduce the time taken for suturing and disfigurement of the body of the deceased. The body is kept in a supine position with a block under the back of the chest to extend the neck.…”