The value of the autopsy in a rural hospital of Haiti.

We conducted a retrospective study of the autopsies performed during a 28-month period in the Department of Medicine of the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti. We found that of 77 autopsies, the main clinical diagnosis was not confirmed at autopsy in 15 patients (19.5%). The results obtained at autopsy would have changed the treatment in 19 patients (24.7%) and the new therapeutical regimens could have had a significant impact on the outcome in six patients (7.8%). Important new information was also gained from the macroscopical examination only. The authors stress the value of the post-mortem examination in areas with limited resources.