Test 2 Material- 2 Flashcards
Antemortem or postmortem discolorations which occur prior to (or during) embalming due to the deposit of matter on the body surface.
Surface Discoloration Agents
- Mechanical
- Chemical
Methods of Removal of Surface Discoloration Agents
Use an abrading device and wash with suitable cleaning agents and soft cloths or brushes; danger dessication marks- red, brown. (Use the soft side of the sponge).
Mechanical Method
Use proper solvent when discoloration cannot be removed by mechanical cleaning. Waterless hand cleaner or trichloroethylene called dry wash (dry cleaners also used to use this, this chemical has been outlawed and replaced by dry wash II). The danger of this is that these chemicals are toxic and dehydrating.
Chemical Method
- May conceal signs of fluid distribution or diffusion.
- Most are more difficult to remove after tissues have firmed.
Importance of Pre-embalming Removal (Surface Discoloring Agents)
Postmortem discoloration that may be present before embalming but has become more intense, changed in hue, or may have evolved due to embalming.
- Razor burns
- Formaldehyde grey
- Desiccation marks
- Green discoloration
- Eye enucleation bruises
- Decomposition changes
Reaction of Embalming Chemicals Upon Body Contents
Caused by the dehydrating effects of the air to damaged epidermis- reddish brown discoloration- becomes progressively worse as time passes also dessication marks increasingly more noticable must be continuiously monitored.
Razor Burns
The chemical combination of formaldehyde with hemoglobin results in the formation of a substance called methemoglobin. With the passage of time, the color changes from pink to dark slate grey.
- Dark complexions are most susceptible
- Opaque cosmetics required
Formaldehyde Grey
Complete flushing of the venous system (removal of all blood). Keep head elevated above the stomach/chest, and active dye to impart a more life-like appearance. Counter act with an active dye eosin commonly used.
Counteracting Formaldehyde Grey
Fluid burns due to excessively strong solutions- reddish-brown discoloration. Usually seen on the face and becomes progressively worse as time passes.
- Opaque cosmetics required
Desiccation Marks
Results from high formaldehyde index solutions converting bilirubin (yellow) to biliverdin (green) in a jaundiced body. Also caused by acidic environment.
Green Discoloration
This is the primary concern with a jaundiced case.
Preservation
Result from damage to tissue and capillaries during the enucleation. Cavity fluid pack with bleaching cavity fluid followed by application of opaque cosmetics will be necessary.
Eye Enucleation Bruises
How to address potential swelling and discoloration during the embalming process of eye enucleation cases.
External Pressure
Postmortem discolorations which are due to the action of bacterial and/or autolytic enzymes on the body tissues. There may be progressive color changes in the tissues if enzymes are not inhibited. Yellow to light green to dark green to blue back to marbling.
Decomposition Changes
- Tan discoloration
- Red to purple
- Maroon
- Green
Examples of Color Changes Associated with Decomposition
Seen in the sclera of the eye due to postmortem dehydration.
Tan Discoloration
Associated with livor mortis eventually followed by postmortem stain.
Red to Purple
Decomposition of the arterial system causing the vasa vasorum to deteriorate changing the artery to _____; looks like muscle tissue making the visual of the artery difficult.
Maroon
A spot about the size of a silver dollar will appear over the cecum indicating the activity of E.coli.
Green
- Color
- Odor
- Purge
- Skin Slip
- Accumulation of gases
Cardinal Signs of Decomposition
In time, the ____ discoloration will spread over the entire body if the body is not embalmed properly and in a timely manner.
Green
- Use sectional hypodermic injections of chemicals designed to bleach and preserve.
- Surface compresses saturated with a proper bleaching agent.
- Chemicals: bleaching cavity fluid, phenol and topical jelly. (searene)
Treatment: Reaction of Embalming Chemicals Upon Body Contents
- Skin Lesions
- Pustular and ulcerative lesions
- Other conditions
Conditions Related to Discolorations
Any traumatic or pathological change in the stucture of the skin.
Skin Lesions
- Disinfect lesion: phenol gel, cavity pack, bleaching agents
- Prepare lesion for post-embalming treatment.
Purpose- Skin Lesions
For the purpose of embalming treatment, skin lesions may be grouped into these categories:
- Skin unbroken but discolored
- Skin scaling as exanthematous disease
- Skin broken but separated from the body
- Pultular or ulcerative lesions
Classification of Skin Lesions
- Allergic reaction antemortem
- Trauma
- Tumors
Skin Unbroken but Discolored: Examples
Increased blood flow into affected area with some swelling.
Inflammation: Skin Unbroken but Discolored
Strong arterial solution to reduce swelling, surface compresses- phenol gel, bleaching cavity fluid packs.
Recommended Treatment: Skin Unbroken but Discolored
Examples:
- Acidosis
- Seborrhea
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Healing sunburn
- Certain medications given prior to death
- Measles
- Chicken pox, etc.
Skin Scaling as in Exanthematous Disease
Heavy coat of massage cream or petroleum jelly (petrolatum) over exposed areas, face and hands, during arterial injection. After injection, remove massage cream or petrolatum carefully. After cleansing, use dry wash to further cleanse and remove scaling skin. A safety razor may also aid in removing scaling skin but could result in severe desiccation marks. Lastly, apply topical phenol for several hours. Application of opaque cosmetic may be difficult should scaling persist.
Recommended Treatment: Skin Scaling as in Exanthematous Disease
Examples:
- Abrasions
- Blisters (vesicles)
- Desquamation
Skin Broken and Separated from the Body
Remove this before embalming.
Skin loose on the lips
This can be done before or after embalming (after embalming if they are not in a viewable spot).
Lance Blisters and Treat
- Apply topical disinfectant
- Open and drain- blisters (vesicles) if present
- Remove all loose skin- desquamation
- Use strong arterial solution for injection- sectional injection may be required (6 points)
- Apply surface compresses of cavity fluid (cavity pack); use bleaching cavity fluid or apply phenol jelly to raw tissue.
- Preservation demand may require hypodermic injection into damaged area with bleaching cavity fluid or phenol solutions.
- Clean away all preservative chemicals with solvent (dry wash)
- Dry area with hair dryer to prevent further leakage-cauterize if necessary with electric spatula.
- Restorative Art
Recommended Treatment: Skin Broken and Separated from the Body
After dressing and casketing, basket weave suture wax and cosmetics usually opaue will be required.
Restorative Art- Skin broken separated from the body
The dark brown discoloration on surface tissue due to desiccation from harsh chemicals as well as air.
Major Problem Post Embalming- Skin broken separated from the body
For skin broken and separated from the body, do not apply massage cream at this time or petrolatum over top of surface abrasions. Instead, allow strong arterial solutions to flow through the broken surface tissue.
During Injection
Examples:
- Boils
- Carbuncles
- Furuncles
- Ulcers
- Pustules
- Fever blisters
Pustular or Ulcerative Lesions
Herpes, decubitus ulcers. Initially decubitus ulcers are asepctic. Eventually they become streptococcus or staphlyococcus. Decubitus ulcers are caused by pressure on body parts.
Most Dangerous type of Pustular or Ulcerative Lesions
- Remove all bandages and apply disinfectant chemicals or phenol jelly directly to the area.
- Terporarily pack the area to reduce odors and to promote surface preservation; use phenol jelly (autopsy gel, topical gel, preservative jelly) or fumeless cavity pack.
- Embalm body: arterial, sectional, hypodermic, surface compresses or all four.
- Utilize plastic undergarments containing embalming powder and/or strong hardening compound applied to ulcers. Plastic garments will prevent leakage and odor.
- Restorative art may be required.
Recommended Treatments: Pustular or Ulcerative Lesions
- Unionalls
- Stockings
- Sleeves- an alternative is custom cut stockings
- Coveralls
- Pants
- Capri pants
List of Plastic Undergarments
______ must be the most important goal in embalming all bodies. Problems associated with discoloration are secondary in importance.
Preservation
- First degree
- Second Degree
- Third Degree
- Fourth Degree
Burns
Redness of the skin (erythema/hyperemia)
First Degree Burns
Blistering and redness
Second Degree Burns