This article (ET-22) is going to cover the treatment of the body after autopsy and analytical visualization.

TREATING THE BODY AFTER POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION (AUTOPSY)

•         Disinfect the body completely.

•         Remove the sutures, open cavities and remove breast plate.

•         Remove the viscera, place in the bucket, section and treat with preservative (intestine should be stripped and cleaned) cavity chemical 32 ounces.

•         During cavity treatment insert trocar into testes and inject two to three ounces of fluid.

•         Disinfect the internal cavities.

•         Remove the sutures from the scalp, remove calvaria (domelike superior portion of the Cranium, comprising of superior portions of the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones).

•         Disinfect the cranial vault.

ANALYTICAL VISUALIZATION

  During the postmortem examination the vascular network is disrupted. Careless manipulative techniques create problems that in many cases are avoidable. This is due to the lack of communication with the embalmer and his concerns which include short snapped vessels, button holing vessels and superficial skin, cutting ears, jagged incisions and unnecessary holes from temporary suturing.

  The autopsy creates a bloody hostile environmental hazard. Extreme preventative measures are required due to lack of regulatory controls on sanitation at the autopsy sites as it relates to the cleaning of the body with disinfectants.

  Knowing that the Arch of the Aorta is the center of embalming we must visualize the Arch and see what has been removed. An ideal autopsy would leave the Arch intact.

•         Prior to injection blood vessels should be checked for careless cuts which would necessitate individual injections in the Brachiocephalic or Innominate and also the Common Carotid and Subclavian.

•         Review the branches of the Brachiocephalic and the Subclavian arteries.

•         The vertebral passes through the foramen magnum and terminates at the base of the Circle of Willis.

•         When the brain has been removed the vertebras become a potential danger from leakage.

•         The internal carotid terminates at the Middle Cerebral lateral to the Sella Turcica and superior to the Sphenoid sinus.

•         When the brain has been removed the Middle Cerebral becomes a potential danger from spray.

  Inferiorly ideally at two inches above the bifurcation of the Descending Abdominal Aorta would make it possible to inject both legs at the same time. If cut, each leg may be injected separately. These are the Common Iliac, Internal Iliac, and External Iliac.

  Review the branches of the Internal Iliac and the External Iliac. Side walls should be treated with hypodermic trocar and internal packs between the ribs and the superficial tissues.

  To achieve depth fixation the embalmer must have an understanding of the breakdown of total body weight of individuals. This is a variable factor of major concern in estimating the amount of fluid to be used.

 In the average adult the viscera weighs between 15 and 25 pounds. Mix hardening compound with viscera before returning to the body.

  Review Cavity embalming chemicals and sundries which may be used in the preparation of the body. Guidelines for specific basic techniques will be addressed as they relate to basic scenarios.

  The next group of articles will deal with general information concerning variable and miscellaneous aspects of embalming.