Need of an Autopsy Kit in resource limited settings

Need of an Autopsy Kit in resource limited settings

Mrinal Patnaik , Arneet Arora
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, India

Introduction: Autopsy is a primary source of anatomical and pathological research in human body. The instruments required in autopsy depend upon the degree of detail required in dissection and the method of autopsy used. Availability of surgical instruments, in adequate quantity or variety, their logistics to the site of autopsy is a challenge.
Methodology: The question was what decisions are made regarding supplies and sterile instruments in autopsies. Systematic analysis of literature was done where research papers dedicated to Operating room inventory, field necropsy procedures and surgical kits for different parts of human body and manuals and/or guidelines for autopsies were reviewed.
Results: The number, type and cost of instruments required in autopsy depend upon the method of dissection and type of autopsy performed, viz. Minimally Invasive Autopsy (MIA), Partial Autopsy, Complete Autopsy, Complete Diagnostic Autopsy (CDA) or Virtual autopsy, decided on technical grounds, feasibility, consent and the mandate of the authority requesting the autopsy.
Discussion: A comprehensive cost effective autopsy kit with necessary inventory of commonly used instruments could be promptly made available upon requirement with essential equipments and additional instruments as needed for special circumstances to satisfy a balanced outcome.

Keywords: Autopsy, Instruments, Postmortem, Kit