Investigation of Postmortem Absorption and Redistribution After the Application of a Fentanyl Patch
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Alan H. B. Wu [1] ; Rebecca Hamilton [2] ; Robert Middleberg [3] ; Sherri Kacinko [3] ; Thomas Kearney [4]
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[1] San Francisco General Hospital
San Francisco General Hospital
Estados Unidos
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[2] 705 Danley Dr. Ft. Myers FL 33907
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[3] Willow Grove PA 19090
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[4] San Francisco University of California San Francisco CA 94143
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- Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 60, Nº. 2, 2015, págs. 532-535
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Fentanyl deaths have increased with availability of transdermal patches. Interpretation of postmortem fentanyl levels may be complicated by postmortem redistribution and absorption of fentanyl from a patch. We applied an unused 100-lg/h fentanyl patch onto the lower abdomen of a decedent with no premortem fentanyl exposure. Ocular fluid, blood, and urine were collected prior to placement, and the decedent was refrigerated for 23 h. Prior to the autopsy, urine, subcutaneous tissue under the patch, and samples from the same anatomic sites were obtained. We observed no fentanyl in any postpatch placement samples (LOD: 0.1 ng/mL for blood and vitreous fluid, 1.0 ng/mL urine, 2.0 ng/g for tissues). Although we observed no postmortem absorption of fentanyl, this was only a single case; therefore, we recommend that patches be removed after receipt of a cadaver before initiation of an autopsy, with the location of removed patch documented
