Autotransplantation

Autotransplantation, also called autologous transplantation, is the surgical transplantation of organs, tissues, or even particular proteins from one site in an individual’s body to another site within the same person (auto- meaning "self" in Greek).

The autologous tissue (also called autogenous, autogeneic, or autogenic tissue) transplanted by such a procedure is called an autograft or autotransplant.

It is contrasted with allotransplantation (from a genetically distinct individual of the same species), syngeneic transplantation (from a genetically identical individual of the same species), and xenotransplantation (from an individual of a different species).

Autotransplantation is applied across many medical specialties, including dental autotransplantation (surgical relocation of teeth within a person), organ autotransplantation (such as kidney autotransplantation for complex renal conditions), and autologous stem-cell transplantation where the patient’s own cells are collected and later reinfused. Examples include bone reconstruction from the iliac crest, tooth relocation in dentistry, and kidney repositioning for nutcracker syndrome or complex vascular reconstruction.