Delayed Embalming and Refrigeration PDF

10/16/20 Delayed Embalming and Refrigeration Anything over 3-4 hours 1 Delayed Embalming The sooner you can embalm the better the end result If not possible: refrigeration is beneficial avoid air swipe use massage cream 2 As tim...

10/16/20 Delayed Embalming and Refrigeration Anything over 3-4 hours 1 Delayed Embalming The sooner you can embalm the better the end result If not possible: refrigeration is beneficial avoid air swipe use massage cream 2 As time progresses the body will undergo many changes Some changes can be controlled others cannot Refrigeration is not a substitute for embalming It will not control bacteria 3 1  10/16/20 No Funeral Director can accurately predict the state of the body several days after death The actions of tissue gas bacteria may not be noticed until too late 4 Decomposition Slowed bacterial action reduced below 10oC (50oF), but not halted until under -1o C (30oF) viscera take several hours to cool 5 Blood Changes Cold will create: increased livor mortis decreased coagulation (poss.) increased staining increased extravasation, increased sludging of blood 6 2  10/16/20 Rigor Mortis Slowed, but not stopped may be confused with cold stiffness both will restrict vessels during injection 7 Autolytic Changes Somewhat slowed reduction of protein structures will lessen chance of tissue fixation 8 Dehydration Refrigeration units will dry air as they cool it gravitation of fluids to dorsal surface mean anterior surfaces more prone to dehydrating bleb formation on dorsal surface after prolonged refrigeration (gravitation of fluid) 9 3  10/16/20 Additional Thoughts Plastic shroud may cause skin slip by creating moist, clammy tissues Carotid/jugular combination best for sludged blood, distribution May see distention with cold stiffening 10 What happens to bodies in refrigeration and wrapped in plastic Warm body inside plastic in cool room creates condensation Capillaries become more permeable therefore increased distention Capillaries still breaking down 11 Autolysis and bacterial enzymes are still reducing tissues Fewer clots but more sludged blood Gravitation of liquids to dependant areas Increased signs of LM 12 4  10/16/20 Hemolysis causing staining Skin-slip formation Signs of decomposition such as discoloration, purge and gas distention and distention of abdominal organs may cause purge Mold and fungus can form 13 Frozen Bodies Cold constricts tissue as liquids freeze, ice crystals form, which will shred tissues, cell membranes distention at capillary level expected during Arterial Inj Broken capillaries don’t allow for drainage 14 Tx for Frozen Subject Thaw body to point of positioning No pre-injection Thin viscosity Very strong fluid 8% minimum 15 5  10/16/20 Tx for Frozen Subject cont’d low pressure, slow rate of flow restricted cervical Less fluid injected Multi-point, hypo best to re-aspirate several times 16 6