Småvevstransplantasjon

Småvevstransplantasjon, also known as tissue transplantation, refers to the surgical procedure of transferring small pieces of tissue from one part of the body to another, or from one individual to another. This technique is employed in various medical fields to restore function, improve appearance, or treat diseases. Common applications include skin grafts for burns or wound coverage, bone grafts for fracture repair or spinal fusion, and cartilage grafts for joint repair. In dentistry, it is used to augment gum tissue.

The source of the tissue, known as the graft, can be autologous, meaning it comes from the patient's own body. This type of graft has the lowest risk of rejection. Alternatively, it can be allogeneic, sourced from another individual of the same species, or even xenogeneic, originating from a different species, though these are less common and carry higher risks of immune rejection.

The success of a tissue transplant depends on several factors, including the viability of the graft, the vascularization of the recipient site, and the patient's immune response. Post-operative care is crucial and often involves immobilization of the transplanted area and immunosuppressive medication if the graft is from a different individual. Advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are continuously improving the outcomes and expanding the applications of småvevstransplantasjon.