donorsite

A donor site is the anatomical location from which tissue, cells, or other material is harvested for transplantation, grafting, or research. It may be autologous (from the same individual), allogeneic (from another person), or xenogeneic (from another species). The choice of donor site depends on the tissue type, the required quantity, functional and cosmetic considerations, and the risk of complications such as pain, infection, or scarring.

In medical practice, donor-site selection and management aim to balance adequate tissue yield with minimizing morbidity. Donor-site morbidity refers to adverse effects at the harvest site, including pain, wound healing delays, scarring, or functional impairment. Preoperative assessment, sterile technique, and appropriate harvesting methods contribute to outcomes.

Common examples of donor sites include:

- Skin grafting: donor skin is usually taken from the thigh, buttock, or back. Split-thickness grafts harvest only part of the dermis, while full-thickness grafts include all of the dermis. Donor sites heal by re-epithelialization and may leave scars or pigment changes.

- Hair transplantation: the donor area is typically the scalp, especially the occipital region, where follicles are harvested for transplantation using follicular unit extraction or strip methods.

- Bone grafting: autologous bone is often harvested from the iliac crest, tibia, or jaw. Autografts provide osteogenic, osteoconductive, and osteoinductive properties, but harvesting carries pain and infection risks at the donor site.

- Dentistry and maxillofacial procedures: intraoral donor sites such as the chin or ramus and extraoral sites like the iliac crest supply cancellous bone for grafts, with associated donor-site considerations.

In research and tissue banking, donor tissues may come from cadaveric sources or animal donors, subject to ethical, legal, and safety regulations and rigorous screening.