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Modified Method to Perform Autopsy Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Weibiao Cao1, Katelyn Dannheim2
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and The Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
Rhode Island Medical Journal (2013)
|January 27, 2023
Summary
Autopsies can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying dissection methods to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 aerosol exposure risks for autopsy personnel. This study found no infections among staff performing 272 autopsies, including 27 COVID-19 cases.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pathologists and autopsy staff face SARS-CoV-2 exposure risks during procedures like lung dissection due to potential aerosol generation.
- Standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for postmortem examinations may require modification to enhance safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety of modified autopsy procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to autopsy personnel.
- To validate a method for calculating lung weight after formalin fixation.
Main Methods:
- Modified organ dissection and evisceration techniques were implemented to reduce aerosol exposure.
- Lung weight was calculated by subtracting formalin weight (derived from volume) from the post-fixation lung weight.
- A total of 272 autopsies, including 27 confirmed COVID-19 cases, were conducted between February 2020 and January 2021.
Main Results:
- No SARS-CoV-2 infections were reported among the 22 autopsy personnel involved in the study.
- Calculated lung weights (537.2±42.5g) showed no significant difference compared to fresh lung weights (541.3±43g, p=0.95).
Conclusions:
- Modified autopsy procedures can be performed safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, minimizing SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks.
- The modified autopsy method, including lung weight calculation, is reliable and may be applicable to future pandemics involving respiratory pathogens.
