Prevention of the spread of infection during highly infectious autopsy using a craniotomy box
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RIS BIB ENDNOTEPrevention of the spread of infection during highly infectious autopsy using a craniotomy box
Publication date: 11.12.2023
Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology, 2023, Vol. 73 (2), pp. 123 - 130
https://doi.org/10.4467/16891716AMSIK.23.009.18296Authors
Prevention of the spread of infection during highly infectious autopsy using a craniotomy box
In cranial autopsies, the post-mortem examination requires the use of a saw for the removal of the skull cap. In these procedures, sawing of bone becomes a critical source of infectious aerosols which spread instantaneously in the immediate environment, generating liquid aerosols including droplets of cerebrospinal fluid and blood, and leading to exposure of all autopsy personnel. In high-risk cases like prion disease, tuberculosis, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), COVID-19, etc. where the skull would require sawing, the prime concern is the saw operator’s exposure to these pathogens. Therefore, the author suggests the use of an ingenious ergonomic semi-circular craniotomy box during skull cap and brain removal in the autopsy procedure to successfully prevent the contamination of the entire autopsy hall. A transparent acrylic plastic box has been customized, which is semi-circular in shape having three walls, one semi-circular dome without a floor, a front wall with adjustable zipper closure, and a hind wall with circular holes with sleeves made of 5-layer fabrics. The dome contains one outlet for a vacuum suction pipe on the side, two holes on each side of the dome with non-woven fabric arms for the saw operator, and assistants’ arms for performing skull opening procedures. The use of this box allowed the author to prevent and limit the spread of the generation of infectious aerosols in the autopsy hall as the bone dust collected in the vacuum ensures the safety of autopsy surgeons.
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Information: Archives of Forensic Medicine and Criminology, 2023, Vol. 73 (2), pp. 123 - 130
Article type: Original article
Titles:
Prevention of the spread of infection during highly infectious autopsy using a craniotomy box
Zapobieganie rozprzestrzenianiu się infekcji podczas sekcji zwłok o wysokiej zakaźności przy użyciu skrzynki do kraniotomii
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India
Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, India
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Published at: 11.12.2023
Received at: 21.04.2023
Accepted at: 25.07.2023
Article status: Open
Licence: CC-BY-NC-SA
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EnglishView count: 374
Number of downloads: 396
Suggested citations: Nature