embalming 2 week 7

areas of the body that need to be reduced for viewing of the body

1. Face

2. Neck

3. Hands

   1. These areas may have distention in them and will need to be reduced 

Any swelling that is prior to arterial injection should be noted on the pre-embalming analysis (embalming report)

1. Edema

2. Tumors

3. Swelling caused by trauma 

   1. Distention from tissue gases clostridium perfringens, anaerobic, saprophytic, spore-forming bacterium responsible for tissue gas. AKA gas bacillus

swelling during embalming

• The embalmer can cause swelling during embalming based off the rate of flow of arterial solution being injected in the tissues 

• Injection pressure

• Poor drainage

• Breakdown of capillaries (trauma or decomposition) 

• Excessive massage

  • Arterial solutions that are too weak 

pitting edema

 excessive moisture is present in the tissue space 

• This can be removed by:

  • Gravitation -massage -channeling of the area

    • Application of pressure (elastic bandages, pneumatic collar, weights,etc

solid edema

- excess moisture is within the cells

• This can be removed by 

  • Special embalming fluids, strong fluids

  • Channeling

    • Application of pressure 

edema in the eyelids

• Options for removal 

• 1) weighted surface compresses

• 2) cavity fluid on cotton under the eyelids (during and after injection) 

• 3) hypodermic injection of phenol compound or cavity fluid after embalming 

  • 4) use of heated electric spatula after embalming. The use of an electric spatula may also be used to remove wrinkles (must use a cream or stone oil) 

subcutaneous emphysema

• Air in the subcutaneous tissues

• Caused by cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a traumatic event, or surgical procedure can puncture the lung leading to gas escaping into the subcutaneous tissues 

• Subcutaneous emphysema can be differentiated from true tissue gas. True tissue gas has a very distinct, foul odor that worsens progressively and is caused by an anaerobic bacterium. Blebbing and skin slip develop with true tissue gas

  • Treatments of true tissue gas will be further explored in embalming 3

crepitation

• Crackling sensation produced when gasses trapped in tissues are palpated, in subcutaneous emphysema or tissue gas

  • Gas that is trapped in the facial tissues must be removed by channeling 

channeling

• Restorative treatment usually accompanied by aspiration, gravitation, or external pressure; to remove excess gasses or excess fluids from tissues

• Passages are made through the tissues with a scalpel, hypodermic needle, or trocar