Resuscitation complications encountered in forensic autopsy cases performed in Muğla province.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine complications of resuscitation seen during autopsies and evaluate the effectiveness of basic life support training.

METHODS: Autopsy case reports conducted in The Forensic Branch Manager of Muğla were retrospectively examined. Demographic data of the patients with resuscitation complications such as age, gender, manner of death, and kinds and features of the complications were recorded.

RESULTS: In total, seventy-fourof the 100 cases with resuscitation complications were males. The autopsies in most of these cases were performed during the summer season. Among the patients, 68% died for non-traumatic reasons. Rib fractures were detected in seventy-one patients and sternum fractures in thirty-two patients. Moreover, damage to the pericardium (2%) and lung parenchymal (4%), heart lesions (4%), and liver lacerations (2%) were detected. Regarding rib fractures, fractures were found between the first and eighth ribs on both sides, with the highest numbers occurring in the fourth rib.

CONCLUSION: Resuscitation complications are important since they can be presumed to have carried out for traumatic reasons.Resuscitation complications seen in autopsy cases with non-traumatic causes can be perceived as traumatic events. They can be assumed incorrectly as trauma symptoms. These complications can be reduced with a good resuscitation training of the health personnel.