What Happens To Removed Or Amputated Or Removed Body Parts?

Question

Say you have to go under the knife to have your appendix removed.
Or a person tragically is in a accident and there is no choice than to surgically remove the leg.
I know this is a crude question, but I've always wondered what a hospital does with the remains.
BTW, we have a catholic hospital in my community that takes babies/fetuses that didn't make it and once a year have a proper and respectful burial ceremony at a local cemetery.

Answer 1

Generally, any part removed during the surgical operation are discarded properly per hospital protocols. Small parts usually goes for incineration. Larger parts such as amputated leg are usually buried properly.

It varies on every setting and location. In other places,religious beliefs are also considered. For example, in Saudi Arabia where I worked, larger parts amputated are usually handled well and kept in mortuary "freezers" with proper identification for the families to claim and do the proper care per religious standards. If unclaimed, the hospital will take the responsibility of burying properly.

Everything is one way or the other affected by religious beliefs and involvement but in general, the hospital had some moral standards set on proper disposal of everything.

Answer 2

At some institutions, they'll preserve various items removed from your person - such as kidney stones or gallstones. Others won't do that. Ask your personal physician if the institution where you'll have your surgery will preserve any or all of the body parts you'll have removed. And be aware that how they respond to such requests is very strictly controlled by county and state health laws. Unlike during the American Civil War, you usually cannot keep an amputated limb. If anything, they may allow you to have it buried in it's own cemetery plot like they did with Stonewall Jackson's amputated arm.

Answer 3

I know that in the case of fetuses they can some times use the skin to help burn victoms, don't know if it's donated or what.

BTW, it's not a crude question, I've always wondered about that too.

Answer 4

The body parts get cremated (burned). I should imagine in the case of a baby or fetuse one can ask to take it so that they can have it buried properly.