PRODUCTS OF CONCEPTION

The specimen is often submitted in a gauze sock, tied at one end. Remove all tissue and clot and examine for fetal parts, membranes, and/or placental villi. Describe the entire specimen in terms of aggregate weight or approximate volume (cc). Villi can be identified in one of three ways:

        Use a dissecting microscope to separate the villi from the blood clot.

        Use a wooden spatula to break apart and separate the fragments. Blood clot and decidual fragments will generally separate easily. Placental tissue will not fragment

        Place material suspected of being placental tissue into a container with clear fluid. The delicate villous fronds will float out into the suspension

        Submit 1-2 sections of obvious fetal or placental tissue. If none can be found, submit the entire specimen.

        If an identifiable embryo is submitted with the specimen, measure the crown-rump length, describe any obvious congenital malformations, divide longitudinally, and submit. If a fetus is submitted, weight and measure the crown-rump length, head circumference, and crown-heal length. Examine for and describe any obvious congenital malformations. If recognizable, note the sex. Perform a “mini-autopsy” noting any abnormalities of placement and/or structure of the internal organs. Submit one section from the lung, liver, kidney, and gonad.

KJT