1. Asphyxia
Dr S Rossouw
2013

2. Definition
Asphyxia = occlusion of airways

3. The Various Entities Suffocating/Smothering Choking: Strangulation:
Decr oxygen
External Mechanical Occlusion
Choking:
Occlusion of internal airways
Strangulation:
Instrumental
Manual (Throttling)
Hanging:
Body mass

4. Related entities Bolus death: Aspiration (v. Choking)
Laryngopharynx
Reflex cardiac arrest
Aspiration (v. Choking)
Gastric contents, meconium
Foreign material
Gassing (v. smothering)
NB: CO, cyanide
< O2 >CO2
Traumatic asphyxia:
Fixation of thorax

5. Autopsy findings Blood-free field dissection of neck
Petechial haemorrhages
Subconjunctival congestion
Lung signs:
Congestion
Peri-arterial haemorrhages
Interstitial haemorrhages
Oedema
Signs of injury to the neck surface
Injury of deeper neck structures (including vascular and laryngeal)
Vertebral / spinal cord injury
General congestion
Other injuries (thorax)

6. Mechanism of death: Acute neurogenic cardiac arrest Cerebral anoxia
General hypoxia/anoxia

7. Immersion/Drowning
True drowning
Other causes of death

8. Immersion/Drowning
Washerwoman
Froth
PM trauma

9. Mechanism of death
Volume disturbances
Electrolyte disturbance

10. Photos Smothering Gagging Traumatic asphyxia Hanging Choking
Strangulation
Drowning
Internal signs