The method of autopsy carried out en masse to remove from tongue to prostate is.

Correct Answer: C. Letulle technique

The Letulle technique (also called the en masse technique or en bloc technique) is the method of autopsy where the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic organs are removed as one continuous block—from the tongue to the prostate—without separating individual organs during removal. This technique is particularly useful in forensic medicine and pathology because it preserves the anatomical relationships between organs and allows for detailed examination of vascular connections, lymphatic drainage, and pathological continuity. The en masse removal is performed by making a single incision that allows the entire visceral block to be lifted out intact, after which individual organs are dissected on a separate table. This method is especially valuable in Indian forensic practice when examining cases of poisoning, internal injuries, or when tracing the path of projectiles or injuries across multiple organ systems. The technique maximizes the preservation of evidence and anatomical integrity, making it the gold standard for medicolegal autopsies where detailed organ-to-organ relationships must be documented.

Why the other options are wrong

A. Rokitansky technique — The Rokitansky technique (in situ technique) involves dissection of organs in their anatomical position within the body cavity, rather than removing them en masse. Organs are examined and removed individually after being dissected in place. This is fundamentally different from the en masse block removal described in the question, making it incorrect for the specific method of removing tongue to prostate as a continuous block. B. Virchow technique — The Virchow technique (also called the separate organ technique) involves removing and examining each organ individually and separately from the body. Organs are dissected one by one in isolation, which is the opposite of the en masse block removal. This method does not preserve the continuous anatomical relationships between organs, making it unsuitable for the described procedure. D. Ghon technique — The Ghon technique is a specialized autopsy method primarily used for examining the lungs and respiratory tract in cases of suspected tuberculosis or pulmonary pathology. It is not a general autopsy technique for en masse removal of multiple organ systems from tongue to prostate, and its application is limited to specific respiratory conditions.

High-Yield Facts

Mnemonics

LETULLE = En masse (BLOCK removal) Letulle = Large block removal (tongue to prostate as ONE unit). Remember: 'Letulle = Let-ALL-organs-come-together' — they come out as a single en bloc specimen. RVG for autopsy techniques Rokitansky = in situ (organs stay in place, dissected there). Virchow = separate organs (each one alone). Ghon = lungs only (respiratory specialist). Letulle is the 4th — the block technique.

NBE Trap

NBE may pair "en masse" or "block removal" with Rokitansky (the most commonly taught technique in Indian textbooks) to trap students who confuse the in situ method with block removal. The key discriminator is that Letulle removes organs as ONE continuous block, while Rokitansky dissects them in place.

Clinical Pearl

In Indian medicolegal practice, the Letulle technique is preferred for complex poisoning cases (e.g., pesticide ingestion) and cases of internal injuries from violence, as it allows the pathologist to trace the continuous path of toxins or injuries across multiple organs without disrupting their anatomical relationships—critical for court evidence.

_Reference: Forensic Medicine & Toxicology (Reddy, 34th edition), Chapter on Autopsy Techniques; Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine & Toxicology_