autografting

Autografting is the transplantation of tissue from one site to another within the same individual. This contrasts with allografts (tissue from another person), isografts (tissue from an identical twin), and xenografts (tissue from a different species). The defining feature is immunologic compatibility, which minimizes rejection risk and typically obviates the need for systemic immunosuppression, though donor-site morbidity can occur.

Common autografts include skin, bone, fat, and connective tissue grafts. Skin autografts are among the most common, used to cover large wounds or burns. They may be split-thickness or full-thickness, depending on the defect and donor site. Bone autografts provide osteogenic material and are widely used in spine fusion, fracture repair, and dental procedures; donor sites include the iliac crest and tibia. Fat grafts involve harvesting adipose tissue for contour restoration or defect filling; outcomes depend on harvesting, processing, and the recipient bed. Additional autografts include tendon or nerve grafts in reconstructive microsurgery.

Procedure and healing involve harvesting tissue, preparing it, and transplanting it to the recipient site, where it is secured with sutures, staples, or other fixation. Survival requires rapid revascularization and incorporation over weeks to months. Risks include donor-site pain and scarring, infection, hematoma, seroma, and partial or complete graft loss. Autografts typically avoid immunologic rejection, but success depends on tissue type, defect size, and recipient bed vascularity.

Used in burn care, reconstruction, orthopedics, dentistry, and cosmetic procedures, autografting remains a preferred option when feasible due to biocompatibility and the absence of immune rejection. Limitations include limited tissue availability and donor-site morbidity. When autografting is not possible, alternatives include allografts, isografts, or synthetic substitutes.