Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (676 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Transplant comprised of an individual's own tissue, transferred from one part of the body to another.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Autograft; Autologous Transplants; Autologous Transplant; Transplant, Autologous; Transplants, Autologous; Autotransplants; Autotransplant.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Transplants
- See also
- Transplantation, Autologous
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 4,776 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Autografts” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 1,802 of them (37.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 2,732 records.
Reviews account for 647 records (13.5%) and meta-analyses for 156. Randomized controlled trials number 244 (5.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 240 |
| 2000-2009 | 2 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,732 |
| 2020 onward | 1,802 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 647 | 13.5% |
| Meta-analyses | 156 | 3.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 244 | 5.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Autografts"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a rabbit model using silk-collagen scaffold and comparison with autograft [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The objective of the present study was to perform an in vivo assessment of a novel silk-collagen scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
- Closing excerpt
- The results indicate that the silk-collagen scaffold has considerable potential for clinical application.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (208 words)
The objective of the present study was to perform an in vivo assessment of a novel silk-collagen scaffold for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. First, a silk-collagen scaffold was fabricated by combining sericin-extracted knitted silk fibroin mesh and type I collagen to mimic the components of the ligament. Scaffolds were electron-beam sterilized and rolled up to replace the ACL in 20 rabbits in the scaffold group, and autologous semitendinosus tendons were used to reconstruct the ACL in the autograft control group. At 4 and 16 weeks after surgery, grafts were retrieved and analyzed for neoligament regeneration and tendon-bone healing. To evaluate neoligament regeneration, H&E and immunohistochemical staining was performed, and to assess tendon-bone healing, micro-CT, biomechanical test, H&E and Russell-Movat pentachrome staining were performed. Cell infiltration increased over time in the scaffold group, and abundant fibroblast-like cells were found in the core of the scaffold graft at 16 weeks postoperatively. Tenascin-C was strongly positive in newly regenerated tissue at 4 and 16 weeks postoperatively in the scaffold group, similar to observations in the autograft group. Compared with the autograft group, tendon-bone healing was better in the scaffold group with trabecular bone growth into the scaffold. The results indicate that the silk-collagen scaffold has considerable potential for clinical application.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 25938408 · DOI · PMC4418759
Regional grafting of autologous adipose tissue is effective in inducing prompt healing of indolent digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis: results of a monocentric randomized controlled study [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundA randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed to confirm preliminary uncontrolled data indicating that regional adipose tissue (AT) grafting (G) is effective in inducing ischemic digital ulcer (IDU) healing in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- Closing excerpt
- Registered retrospectively on 25 January 2018.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (174 words)
BackgroundA randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed to confirm preliminary uncontrolled data indicating that regional adipose tissue (AT) grafting (G) is effective in inducing ischemic digital ulcer (IDU) healing in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).Patients and methodsSSc patients with IDUs were randomized to be blindly treated with AT-G or a sham procedure (SP). AT-G consisted of injection, at the base of the finger with the IDU, of 0.5-1 ml AT after centrifugation of fat aspirate. The SP consisted of false liposuction and local injection of saline solution. The primary endpoint was to compare the cumulative prevalence of healed IDUs in the two groups within the following 8 weeks.ResultsAT-G and the SP were carried out in 25 and 13 patients, respectively. The two groups were comparable for age, gender, disease duration, and SSc subtypes. IDU healing was observed in 23/25 and 1/13 patients treated with AT-G and the SP, respectively (p ConclusionThis RCT strongly confirms that AT-G is effective in inducing IDU healing in SSc patients.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03406988 . Registered retrospectively on 25 January 2018.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30616671 · DOI · PMC6322261
Autograft or allograft for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament: a health economics perspective [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeTo assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of allografts versus autografts in the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments.
- Closing excerpt
- Level of evidenceII.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (121 words)
PurposeTo assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of allografts versus autografts in the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments.MethodsSystematic review of comparative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness analysis.ResultsBoth autograft and allograft reconstruction are highly effective. Recent studies show little difference in failure rates between autografts and allografts (about 6% and 7%, respectively). In cost-effectiveness analysis, the price differential is the main factor, making autografts the first choice. However, there will be situations, particularly in revision ACL reconstruction, where an allograft may be preferred, or may be the only reasonable option available.ConclusionIn ACL reconstruction, clinical results with autografts are as good as or slightly better than with allografts. Allografts cost more, indicating that autografts are more cost-effective and should usually be first choice.Level of evidenceII.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30874836 · DOI · PMC6541574
Preoperative MRI-based prediction of autograft diameter in ACL reconstruction using hamstring and peroneus longus tendons [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundTo evaluate the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements of hamstring and peroneus longus tendons in estimating intraoperative autograft diameter during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and to identify clinically useful CSA cut-offs for achieving graft diameters ≥ 8 mm.
- Closing excerpt
- This study establishes clinically relevant CSA thresholds for HT and PLT tendons and is the first to report such values for PLT, aiding preoperative graft selection in ACL reconstruction.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (173 words)
BackgroundTo evaluate the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements of hamstring and peroneus longus tendons in estimating intraoperative autograft diameter during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and to identify clinically useful CSA cut-offs for achieving graft diameters ≥ 8 mm.MethodsFifty-two patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction were included in this prospective observational study, with 26 each in the hamstring tendon (HT) and peroneus longus tendon (PLT) autograft groups. Preoperative CSA was measured on axial MRI at specific anatomical levels. Intraoperative graft diameters were recorded post- harvest. Correlation analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess predictive value and determine CSA thresholds for adequate graft size.ResultsFor the HT group, CSA measured at the medial femoral condyle showed the strongest correlation with intraoperative diameter (r = 0.782; p ConclusionMRI-based CSA measurement provides a reliable, non-invasive method for predicting autograft adequacy. This study establishes clinically relevant CSA thresholds for HT and PLT tendons and is the first to report such values for PLT, aiding preoperative graft selection in ACL reconstruction.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42071240 · DOI · PMC13343710
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft versus allograft in outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a meta-analysis of 5182 patients [5]
- Research article Ross Procedure in Adults for Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons: JACC State-of-the-Art Review [6]
- Research article Autogenous bone harvesting and grafting in advanced jaw resorption: morbidity, resorption and implant survival [7]
- Research article Synthetic bone graft versus autograft or allograft for spinal fusion: a systematic review [8]
- Research article Outcomes of autotransplanted teeth with complete root formation: a systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Conjunctival autograft for pterygium [10]
References
- Bi F, Shi Z, Liu A, Guo P, Yan S. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a rabbit model using silk-collagen scaffold and comparison with autograft. . 2015. PMID 25938408 · DOI · PMC4418759
- Del Papa N, Di Luca G, Andracco R, Zaccara E, Maglione W, Pignataro F, et al.. Regional grafting of autologous adipose tissue is effective in inducing prompt healing of indolent digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis: results of a monocentric randomized controlled study. . 2019. PMID 30616671 · DOI · PMC6322261
- Mistry H, Metcalfe A, Colquitt J, Loveman E, Smith NA, Royle P, et al.. Autograft or allograft for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament: a health economics perspective. . 2019. PMID 30874836 · DOI · PMC6541574
- Pande AP, Hegde AS, Suprasanna K, Shetty CB, Mane PP, Hebsur MN. Preoperative MRI-based prediction of autograft diameter in ACL reconstruction using hamstring and peroneus longus tendons. . 2026. PMID 42071240 · DOI · PMC13343710
- Kraeutler MJ, Bravman JT, McCarty EC. Bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft versus allograft in outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a meta-analysis of 5182 patients. Am J Sports Med. 2013. PMID 23585484 · DOI
- Mazine A, El-Hamamsy I, Verma S, Peterson MD, Bonow RO, Yacoub MH, et al.. Ross Procedure in Adults for Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons: JACC State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018. PMID 30497563 · DOI
- Nkenke E, Neukam FW. Autogenous bone harvesting and grafting in advanced jaw resorption: morbidity, resorption and implant survival. Eur J Oral Implantol. 2014. PMID 24977256
- Buser Z, Brodke DS, Youssef JA, Meisel HJ, Myhre SL, Hashimoto R, et al.. Synthetic bone graft versus autograft or allograft for spinal fusion: a systematic review. J Neurosurg Spine. 2016. PMID 27231812 · DOI
- Chung WC, Tu YK, Lin YH, Lu HK. Outcomes of autotransplanted teeth with complete root formation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Periodontol. 2014. PMID 24393101 · DOI
- Clearfield E, Muthappan V, Wang X, Kuo IC. Conjunctival autograft for pterygium. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. PMID 26867004 · DOI · PMC5032146
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.