explantation

Explantation is the act of removing an implanted medical device or transplanted tissue from the body, or, in botany, removing plant tissue for culture. The term is used in both medical and plant science contexts and derives from Latin terms meaning to detach or remove.

In medicine, explantation refers to the surgical removal of an implanted device or previously transplanted material. It may be planned or urgent, depending on factors such as device failure, infection, adverse reactions, or patient preference. Common examples include explantation of breast implants after rupture or when capsular contracture, infection, or implant-related illness is a concern. The procedure can involve removing surrounding scar tissue and assessing adjacent structures. Risks are similar to other surgeries and can include bleeding, infection, anesthesia-related complications, nerve or tissue damage, and the potential return of symptoms after removal.

In botany and plant science, explantation describes taking a piece of plant tissue (an explant) and placing it in sterile culture conditions to grow new plants. This is a central method in plant tissue culture and micropropagation. Explants can be leaves, stems, roots, or meristems, and they are cultured on nutrient media containing plant growth regulators to stimulate cell division and shoot or root formation. Key challenges include maintaining sterility to prevent contamination, tissue browning from phenolic compounds, and varying responsiveness among species.

Overall, explantation covers two related but distinct uses: the removal of devices or tissues in medical contexts, and the initiation of plant tissue culture from small tissue samples in botanical settings.