[Medico-legal investigations on 26 cases of accidental death in medical practice].

Records indicate that during the period of 24 years and 3 months (Jan 1963-Mar 1987) Department of Legal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine conducted medico-legal investigations on accidental death of 26 cases in total which occurred in process of medical practice, including 24 judicial autopsies and 2 cases by documentary investigations (clinical anamnesis, clinical diary and testimony records). The breakdown of judicial autopsy cases is following. 1) Age and sex of decedents by accident: One year and downward-2 cases (male 2), Teens-8 cases (male 3, female 5), Twenties-4 cases (male 1, female 3), Thirties-5 cases (male 1, female 4), Forties-3 cases (male 3, female 1), Fifties-3 cases (male 2, female 1), Sixties and Seventies-1 case (male) respectively. 2) Causes of accident: Making injection 17 cases (penicillin, procaine, isozol, vaccine etc., male 7, female 10), operation 3 cases (adenoidectomy, push back of the cleft palate, curettage of the nucleus, male 2, female 1), stomach biopsy 1 case (male), blood transfusion (air embolism, female), and erroneous diagnosis 2 cases (male 1, female 1). 3) Some remarks to be taken account in performance of medicolegal activities were stated for the adequate investigation.