Reversibility of the mandibular rigor mortis through sodium bicarbonate in humans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60007/antistio.4762Keywords:
Rigor mortis, oral autopsy, sodium bicarbonateAbstract
The main problem for the forensic odontologist during the first hours after death is the limited oral opening due to rigor mortis developed in the masticatory muscles.
Objective: To determínate the efficacy of sodium bicarbonate in the reversion of rigor mortis.
Method: An forensic experimental design was developed. Forty unidentified cadavers autopsied at the Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses of Bogotá were selected and divided randomly in two groups, an experimental group (sodium bicarbonate) and a control group (distilled water). Based in the muscular pH found in 10 cadavers (pH 6,0), the sodium bicarbonate concentration was established in O,OlM. The oral opening was measured previously before the injection oft he substances was performed, 5 ml oft he substances were injected extra orally in the masseter and temporal muscles bilaterally, then, the oral opening was measured every 60 minutes until an "useful" opening was achieved (30 mm). The maximum force applied was standardized in Newtons with a Molt mouth opener previously calibrated with a dynamometer.
Results: The final oral opening achieved with sodium bicarbonate 0,01 M was significantly bigger than the one obtained with the distilled water (p 0,000). At 3 hours bicarbonate produced an useful oral opening of 30.9±5.5mm.
Conclusion: Sodium bicarbonate accelerates the reversion of mandibular rigor mortis and represents a non traumatic, inexpensive and effective method to achieve post mortero oral opening.
Author Biographies
José Manuel Fernández Chaves, Universidad de Costa Rica
Odontólogo Universidad de Costa Rica.
Paola Rocío Hernández Toloza, Universidad de Antioquia
Odontóloga Universidad de Antioquia.
María Mercedes Tovar, Colegio Odontológico Colombiano
Odontóloga Colegio Odontológico Colombiano.
Isabel Rivero Toledo
Toxicóloga forense.
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