HAVE DECLINING CLINICAL NECROPSY RATES REDUCED THE CONTRIBUTION OF NECROPSY TO MEDICAL-RESEARCH

Aims-To examine trends in necropsy based research output for a period of 27 years during which there has been a progressive decline in clini cal necropsy rates. Methods-The numbers of necropsy based research pap ers published between 1966 and 1993 were determined using the CD-Plus Medline computed literature database. Results-The number of necropsy b ased research papers containing necropsy or a synonym in the title inc reased by 220% between 1966 and 1993. When papers including necropsy o r a synonym in the abstract, but not in the title, were included, the proportion of all indexed papers increased from 0.35% in 1975, when ab stracts were first included, to 0.53% in 1993. Analysis of the subject material indicated that necropsy based research has constantly reflec ted trends and advances in clinical medicine. Neuroscience related res earch represented the largest subject category which may reflect the d ifficulties in obtaining human tissue from sources other than necropsy . Conclusions-The modern necropsy continues to provide valuable inform ation for all clinical and laboratory based disciplines. The decline i n clinical necropsy rates would not yet appear to have undermined the contribution of the necropsy to research.