‘Arrow line incision’ – A new approach for neck dissection

Abstract

Police inquest is an integral part of medicolegal autopsy process in india. Autopsy surgeon usually makes dissection plan based on the  information about the circumstances of unnatural or suspicious death in police inquest. Conventionally 'Y' or Modified 'Y' autopsy  incision is practiced for examination of neck structures in cases of suspected neck compression. Unknown cases without any history  of neck compression autopsies are done with usual midline straight incision or 'I' incision but once the autopsy is started with 'I'  incision, no type of 'Y' incision is possible subsequently. I have developed a new incision called 'Arrow line incision' which can be  practiced for neck exposure even after usual 'I' incision. This new dissection technique, 'Arrow line incision' can be practiced in all  cases as routine autopsy incision for internal examination with or without history of neck compression.