An autopsy case of suction injury

Abstract 

The right upper extremity of a 38-year-old man was entrapped in an underwater intake of a water duct of a dam reservoir, and he died despite being promptly rescued. His right upper extremity was swollen and exhibited purplish-red discolourations. The skin had numerous blisters and increased tension. Severe subcutaneous and muscle bleeding were observed in the right upper extremity. The circumference and volume of the right upper extremity were approximately 1.2 and 1.4 times, respectively, that the circumference and volume of the left upper extremity. The increase in weight of the right extremity was calculated to be approximately 2.1kg; this finding indicates a severe decrease in the victim’s central blood volume. Furthermore, it is possible that much more than 2.1kg of blood accumulated in the upper extremity upon exposure to vacuum pressure. We conclude that the victim died of circulatory collapse that was attributable to haemorrhage and re-distribution of blood as a result of vacuum pressure on the right upper extremity. Thus, we have examined the cause of death and the effects of vacuum pressure on the human body.

Keywords: Suction injury, Hypovolemic circulatory collapse, Haemorrhage, Distribution of blood, Vacuum pressure