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[Practical aspects of COVID-19 autopsies]
Peter Boor1, Philip Eichhorn2, Arndt Hartmann2
1Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Aachen, RTWH Aachen, Aachen, Deutschland.
Der Pathologe
|February 24, 2021
Summary
COVID-19 autopsies can be safely conducted with proper safety measures, providing crucial insights into the disease. These procedures are vital for understanding organ damage and disease mechanisms, despite unresolved questions about infectivity.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to the medical community.
- Autopsies are critical for disease research but faced safety concerns early in the pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and safety standards for performing autopsies on COVID-19 deceased.
- To determine if autopsies could be conducted under existing legal frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Detailed review of autopsy procedures across five institutions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
- Evaluation of legal and safety standards implemented during these autopsies.
- Comparison of complete autopsies versus ultrasound-guided biopsy approaches.
Main Results:
- Autopsies were successfully performed in technically suitable rooms with stringent personal protective equipment (PPE).
- PPE included disposable gowns, surgical caps, eye protection, FFP3 masks, and double gloves.
- While complete autopsies offered gross pathology insights, ultrasound-guided biopsies provided standardized samples for research, leading to high-impact publications on organ damage and pathomechanisms.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 autopsies are safe and feasible when appropriate safeguards are in place.
- These procedures are highly valuable for advancing medical research and understanding COVID-19.
- Further research is needed to fully resolve questions regarding viral infectivity from deceased individuals.
