Evisceration

Evisceration involves the standardised format of removing the organs from the mouth down to the pelvic floor, including all viscera from the thorax, abdomen, and retroperitoneum. This chapter deals with the torso, but not the head, presenting the Rokitansky-style method, along with standard incision techniques; there are some well-known permutations on this process. This dissection protocol should enable direct inspection of many of the tissues (before detailed dissection) with the potential of identifying any pathology immediately. Keeping the tissues in relationship with one another allows the architectural context of any pathology to be considered. This process also serves to direct attention to the need for subsequent specific and detailed dissection of some organs. On occasion, it may even prompt alternative methods of dissection and tissue analysis. During evisceration, there is an opportunity to take various samples (toxicology, microbiology, histology) before significant manipulation of the body contents.