[Method of performing an autopsy without cutting into the thorax or dissecting the ribs]

Two variants of autopsy of cadavers without cutting of the thorax and dissection of the ribs are described. The method is principally based on the transversal cutting of the abdominal wall alongside both hypochondria, severing of the diaphragm and exposure of a complex of organs (after preliminary removal of the intestine and spleen). In the first variant of autopsy, the upper part of the complex is crossed in the thorax at the level of the upper aperture of the thoracic cavity, leaving the organs of the neck without autopsy. In the second variant, no such crossing is done and the complex is removed together with the organs of the neck and the tongue (that is, the autopsy is complete). To separate the latter, an additional transversal supraclavicular cut about 10 cm in length is made. The advantages of these variants lie in the cosmetic effect.