Autopsy

An autopsy (post-mortem exam or necropsy) is the examination of the body of a dead person and is performed primarily to determine the cause of death.

An autopsy (also known as a postmortem examination or necropsy) is the examination of the body of a dead person and is performed primarily to determine the cause of death, to identify or characterize the extent of disease states that the person may have had, or to determine whether a particular medical or surgical treatment has been effective. Autopsies are performed by pathologists ( medical doctors who have received specialty training in the diagnosis of diseases by the examination of body fluids and tissues). In academic institutions, autopsies sometimes are also requested for teaching and research purposes. Forensic autopsies have legal implications and are performed to determine if death was an accident, homicide, suicide, or a natural event. The word autopsy is derived from the Greek word autopsia: "to see with one's own eyes."

The earliest anatomists and pathologists could be considered ancient hunters, butchers, and cooks who had to recognize organs and determine if they were suitably edible. In ancient Babylon, perhaps as early as 3500 BC, autopsies on animals were performed not for the study of disease, but rather for the practice of predicting the future by communicating with divine forces. The intestines and liver were believed to contain messages from divine spirits.

Galen (131-200 A.D.), a disciple of Hippocrates practicing in ancient Greece, performed surgical dismantling (dissection) of animals and humans. He determined that Hippocrates' theory that disease was due to four circulating senses of humor (phlegm, blood, yellow bile, and black bile) was correct. Galen was a highly respected, powerful, and dogmatic individual who dominated the medical thinking of his time and for hundreds of years to follow. It is said that the four-humor doctrine paralyzed medical science for about 1400 years.

In general, before 1700 there was a negative attitude regarding the dissection of the human body. Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and medieval Europeans performed dissections for religious reasons or to learn anatomy, but this was not done in any systematic fashion. There were, however, some notable exceptions. In the late 1200s, the law faculty dominated the University of Bologna and would order autopsies to be performed to help solve legal problems. Thus, some of the earliest autopsies were medicolegal cases. In the late 1400s in Padua and Bologna, Italy, the sites of the world's first medical schools, Pope Sixtus the IV issued an edict permitting dissection of the human body by medical students. Before such edicts from religious leaders, it was considered a crime to dissect the human body, and criminal prosecutions for "body snatching" by students of anatomy date back to the early 1300s.

By the 1500s, the autopsy was generally accepted by the Catholic Church, marking the way for an accepted systematic approach to the study of human pathology in Europe. While several "giants" of medicine and science around this time, such as Vesalius (1514-1564), Pare (1510-1590), Lancisi (1654- 1720), and Boerhaave (1668-1738) advanced the autopsy, it is Giovanni Battista Morgagni (1682-1771) who was an anatomist and is considered the father of anatomical pathology.. During his 60 years of observations, Morgagni insisted upon the correlation of pathological findings with clinical symptoms, marking the first time that autopsies made major contributions to the understanding of diseases in medical science.

Some historians say that the power of the autopsy in medical education peaked during the 1800s. At the beginning of that century, the Allgemeine Krankenhaus in Vienna was considered the premier medical center of the Western World, in large part because of the stature of its Pathology Institute which was headed by Karl Rokitansky (1804-1878). Almost every patient who died was taken to the Rokitansky Institute, which still exists in Vienna, for autopsy. Rokitansky is said to have supervised 70,000 autopsies and personally performed over 30,000, averaging two a day, seven days a week, for 45 years. Rokitansky stressed a systematic, almost ritualistic, approach to the autopsy with every patient receiving the same detailed examination. For the sake of objectivity, Rokitansky, unlike Morgagni, did not care to know the clinical history of the patients. Because of this style and his disinclination to apply microscopy routinely, many of Rokitansky's theories about diseases proved to be incorrect.

Rudolph Virchow (1821-1902), an eminent German statesman and pathologist, was a younger contemporary and competitor of Rokitansky. Unlike Rokitansky, he grew up with the microscope and was most influential in the systematic application of microscopy to study disease. Virchow advanced the doctrine which held that cellular pathology was the basis of disease, finally laying to rest the humoral theory of Hippocrates and Galen. In many ways, Virchow could be considered the first molecular biologist. Under Virchow, Berlin replaced Vienna as the premier center of medical education.

Many clinicians, upon returning from study in Berlin, became leaders in North American medicine. The most notable of these physicians was the legendary Sir William Osler, who worked in Canada and the U.S. Osler was arguably the most respected and revered North American physician of his time. He studied with Rokitansky and Virchow and relied heavily on autopsy studies for his education. Osler not only performed autopsies himself and taught others about autopsies but also left detailed instructions for his autopsy. In speaking of himself, Osler told a friend: "I've been watching this case for 2 months and I'm sorry I shall not see the postmortem." As expected, the autopsy showed that all of Osler's diagnoses were correct.

In 1910, Abraham Flexner reported the sorry state of medical education in the U. S. at that time. The Cabot report issued from the Massachusetts General Hospital in 1920, based on approximately 3,000 autopsies performed, revealed astonishing diagnostic inaccuracies on the part of clinicians. The resulting medical reforms included the placement of autopsy pathology as a central, integral component of medical education.

A medical examiner can order an autopsy without the consent of the next of kin. Deaths that are investigated by the medical examiner or coroner include all suspicious deaths, and depending upon the jurisdiction, may include deaths of persons not being treated by a physician for a known medical condition, deaths of those who have been under medical care for less than 24 hours, or deaths that occurred during operations or other medical procedures.

In all other cases, consent must be obtained from the next of kin before an autopsy is performed, even at academic institutions or hospitals. The next of kin also has the right to limit the scope of the autopsy (for example, excluding the brain from evaluation or limiting the procedure to the examination of the abdomen).

Autopsies, also known as postmortem examinations, are conducted by highly trained medical professionals, such as:

Pathologists:

• Pathologists are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing diseases by examining organs and tissues from deceased patients.
• They perform autopsies to determine the cause of death or to confirm diagnoses made by other doctors.
• Pathologists work primarily in hospitals and conduct autopsies on patients who have died while under medical care.

Forensic pathologists:

• Forensic pathologists are a specific type of pathologists who specialize in examining deceased individuals in cases of unexpected, suspicious, or violent deaths.
• They are trained to perform autopsies and investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
• Forensic pathologists work closely with law enforcement agencies and other officials to gather evidence and determine the cause and manner of death.

Medical Examiners:

• Medical examiners are also qualified to perform autopsies. They work in a forensic context, often in conjunction with law enforcement.
• Their autopsies aim to determine the cause of death, estimate the time since death, and provide identification information to the police.
• Medical examiners play a crucial role in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.

Coroners:

• Coroners are elected or appointed officials responsible for investigating deaths that occur within their jurisdiction.
• Coroners are also qualified to perform autopsies.
• While coroners do not need a medical degree to perform autopsies, they are typically trained pathologists who have received specialized training in forensic pathology.
• Coroners determine the manner of death (natural, accidental, suicide, or homicide) and may order autopsies when necessary.

Autopsies are collaborative efforts that involve multiple professionals with diverse expertise, all working together to understand the cause of death. Each role is critical in ensuring a thorough and accurate examination and analysis of the deceased individual.

What is done during an autopsy? The extent of an autopsy can vary from the examination of a single organ such as the heart or brain to a very extensive examination. Examination of the chest, abdomen, and brain is probably considered by most pathologists as the standard scope of the autopsy.  What are the three types of autopsy? There are three levels of an autopsy including:

• Complete: The whole body cavities are examined.
• Limited: A single organ, such as the heart or brain, is examined.
• Selective: The chest, abdomen, and brain are examined.

Autopsy procedure

The autopsy begins with a complete external examination. The weight and height of the body are recorded, and identifying marks such as scars and tattoos also are recorded.

The internal examination begins with the creation of a Y- or U-shaped incision from both shoulders joining over the sternum and continuing down to the pubic bone. The skin and underlying tissues are then separated to expose the rib cage and abdominal cavity. The front of the rib cage is removed to expose the neck and chest organs. This opening allows the trachea (windpipe), thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, esophagus, heart, thoracic aorta, and lungs to be removed. Following the removal of the neck and chest organs, the abdominal organs are cut (dissected) free. These include the intestines, liver, gallbladder and bile duct system, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, abdominal aorta, and reproductive organs.

To remove the brain, an incision is made in the back of the skull from one ear to the other. The scalp is cut and separated from the underlying skull and pulled forward. The top of the skull is removed using a vibrating saw. The entire brain is then gently lifted out of the cranial vault. The spinal cord may also be taken by removing the anterior or posterior portion of the spinal column.

The organs are first examined by the pathologist to note any changes visible with the naked eye. Examples of diseases that may produce changes readily recognizable in the organs include atherosclerosis, cirrhosis of the liver, and coronary artery disease in the heart.

After the organs are removed from the body, they usually are separated from each other and further dissected to reveal any abnormalities, such as tumors, on the inside. Small samples are typically taken from all organs to be made into slide preparations for examination under a microscope. At the end of an autopsy, the incisions made in the body are sewn closed with autopsy stitches. The organs may be returned to the body or may be retained for teaching, research, and diagnostic purposes. The performance of an autopsy does not interfere with an open casket funeral service, as none of the incisions made in order to accomplish the autopsy are apparent after embalming and dressing of the body by the mortician.

An autopsy typically takes about two to four hours, but it can vary based on factors such as the complexity of the case, the thoroughness of the examination, and the number of samples taken for analysis.

There are two main types of autopsies: forensic and clinical.

Forensic autopsy:

• Forensic pathologists conduct forensic autopsies as part of legal investigations.
• A forensic autopsy typically takes two to four hours. Preliminary results may be available within two to three days. However, acquiring comprehensive results, including detailed reports and laboratory analyses, can take much longer, often around six weeks or more.

Clinical autopsy:

• Hospital pathologists perform clinical autopsies in cases of natural death.
• A clinical autopsy usually lasts one to two hours.

Autopsy involves external and internal examinations of the body to determine the cause of death. This process includes examining organs, tissues, and fluids for signs of disease, injury, or poisoning. Following the examination, a detailed report is usually generated to document the findings.

Pictures of findings may be taken for future reference. Special studies may include cultures to identify infectious agents, chemical analysis for the measurement of drug levels or metabolic abnormalities, or genetic studies. Tissue may be frozen for future diagnostic or research purposes. Organs may be preserved and stored in formalin for later examination, sampling for microscopy, presentation at conferences, or archiving for the training of medical students.

After all studies are completed, a detailed report is prepared that describes the autopsy procedure and microscopic findings, giving a list of medical diagnoses and a summary of the case. The report emphasizes the relationship or correlation between clinical findings (the doctor's examination, laboratory tests, radiology findings, etc.) and pathologic findings (those made from the autopsy).

Benefits for families: For families, the autopsy has both tangible and psychological benefits. Uncertainty regarding the cause of an individual's death can delay payment of insurance benefits. The autopsy can also uncover genetic or environmental (for example, a bacterium or fungus) causes of disease that could affect other family members. Psychologically, the autopsy provides closure by identifying or confirming the cause of death. The autopsy can demonstrate to the family that the care provided was appropriate, thereby alleviating guilt among family members and offering reassurance regarding the quality of medical care. Lastly, the autopsy is a mechanism that enables the family to participate in medical education and research.

Benefits for the clinician and hospital: The procedure can confirm the accuracy of the clinical diagnoses and the appropriateness of medical care. The autopsy findings can be utilized to educate physicians, nurses, residents, and students, thereby contributing to an improved quality of care.

Benefits to society: Many of the benefits of the autopsy are experienced by society as a whole. The autopsy aids in the evaluation of new diagnostic tests, the assessment of new therapeutic interventions (drugs, devices, surgical techniques), and the investigation of environmental and occupational diseases. Autopsy data are useful in establishing valid mortality statistics. Data derived from death certificates in the absence of autopsy data have repeatedly been shown to be inaccurate. New medical knowledge on existing diseases that is derived from autopsy-based research is clearly important for everyone. Remarkably, new diseases continue to emerge which can only be fully investigated by autopsy.

Presently, there is no direct funding to hospitals or doctors for autopsies. As part of the federal government's Medicare funding to hospitals, reimbursement for autopsies is theoretically included in fixed payments that hospitals receive. Thus, the federal government contends that it is paying for autopsies. Since these funds are not specifically earmarked for autopsies, they may not reach the pathology department or pathologist. Managed care organizations consider the autopsy to be built into their hospital contracts. However, these organizations have stated that they are willing to reimburse for autopsies if and when they are convinced of their value. Sometimes, autopsies are performed in the hospital at the request of physicians; the autopsy is not billed to the patient's family, but they should check with the hospital performing the service. This is different from autopsies the family requests from private pathologists, which may lead to charges billed to the deceased's next of kin.

Beginning in the 1950s, hospital autopsy rates started falling from an average of around 50% of all deaths to 10% in the late 1990s. Currently, the rates are even lower at non-academic hospitals. In 1970, the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals dropped the requirement that a hospital needed an autopsy rate of 20% to be accredited.

Family factors: Certainly the relationship between patients and their doctors has changed dramatically over the past 50 years due to factors such as specialization, managed care, and the disappearance of the "house call." Physicians no longer are "family doctors" and do not have the same rapport with patients and their families as in past years. This change in the basic doctor-patient relationship may make it increasingly difficult to obtain consent for an autopsy.

Concerns over disfigurement of the remains or delays in funeral arrangements may prevent a vast majority of families from consenting to an autopsy. In reality, however, the visual examination of the body and the removal of tissues and organs for the microscopic examination can be completed in a few hours. Furthermore, there are no visible external changes that would preclude an open-casket funeral service.

In the majority of cases and certainly at academic medical centers, there is currently no charge to the family and frequently, no compensation for its performance. More recently, though, some institutions have started to charge, and private autopsies at the request of family members that are performed outside of the hospital may cost several thousand dollars.

Clinician factors: Most physicians are generally uncomfortable requesting an autopsy because it is not an easy or pleasant task. If, in addition, a physician feels that a family questions the care that their relative was given, the physician may be reluctant to request an autopsy that might prove that the care was indeed incorrect.

Many individuals in medicine feel that modern technology has made the autopsy outdated. With modern imaging studies and laboratory tests, it is thought that the autopsy is unlikely to reveal any conditions that were not detected clinically. The accuracy of the clinical diagnosis has been the subject of numerous research studies. These studies have consistently shown that in 20% to 40% of autopsied patients, there were important, treatable conditions that were detected at autopsy that were not diagnosed clinically. This consistent and significant discrepancy between clinical and pathologic diagnoses is probably the most compelling argument for continued efforts to revive the autopsy as the "gold standard" in evaluating the quality of medical care.

Pathologist factors: Some doctors express dissatisfaction with the quality of an autopsy if the pathologist does not provide answers regarding the case. Unfortunately, an autopsy does not guarantee that the cause of death, for example, a heart arrhythmia, will be identified.

Autopsy pathology is a vanishing subspecialty, which, for the most part, has been relegated to a secondary position. At the turn of the century, most of the pathologist's activities revolved around the autopsy. Since that time, laboratory medicine and surgical pathology (examining tissue biopsies from living patients) have become the major activities of practicing pathologists.

In addition, the autopsy is not one of the favorite activities among the majority of pathologists. For many pathologists, an autopsy is an extra burden with no compensation during a busy day.

Government agencies that regulate the accreditation of hospitals and nursing homes are deeply concerned about the decline in autopsy rates. For example, surveys have indicated that less than 1% of nursing home patients who die are autopsied. The U.S. general accounting office, which pays for some nursing home services, recently attempted to prove that particular nursing homes were substandard. Such efforts were thwarted by the lack of hard evidence. The allegations could not be proven because the patients in question were not autopsied and the actual causes of death could not, therefore, be confirmed.

Some information can only be acquired during an autopsy. The information autopsies can provide benefits to society, the medical profession, and families. Many physicians believe that autopsy should be revived. Whether or not it will be revived remains to be seen.

Are autopsy and postmortem the same?

"Autopsy" and "postmortem" generally refer to the same procedure. "Autopsy" is the more commonly used term in medical contexts, while "postmortem" is often used in legal or investigative settings. Both terms essentially mean "examination after death."

Why is the tongue removed during autopsy?

The tongue is removed during autopsy to thoroughly examine the oral cavity, access other throat structures, document any abnormalities, take tissue samples for further examination, and eliminate obstruction. This step is crucial in forensic medicine and pathology because it allows for a detailed examination of the neck organs, which is essential for excluding other possible causes of death. While the tongue may be removed in certain cases, it is not a standard procedure during autopsies. The primary goal remains to determine the cause of death through a thorough examination of relevant organs and tissues.

Is the brain removed during autopsy?

During an autopsy, the brain is typically removed and examined as part of the procedure.  If necessary, the brain can be preserved in a formalin solution for future analysis. This allows pathologists to thoroughly inspect the brain for any abnormalities, such as signs of injury, disease, or other conditions that may have contributed to the individual's death. The brain can provide valuable insights into the cause of death and any underlying health issues the deceased may have had.