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How does an orthotopic transplant differ from a heterotopic transplant?
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transplant
British surgeon Andrew Ready flushing a donated kidney during a transplant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England, 2006.
In the context of transplant surgery, the distinction between orthotopic and heterotopic transplants is based on the anatomical location where the graft is placed.1
- Orthotopic transplant: The tissue or organ is transplanted into its normal, original anatomical position in the recipientās body. An example of this is a skin graft placed on the surface of the body.1
- Heterotopic transplant: The tissue or organ is transplanted into an abnormal or non-native anatomical site. A common example is a kidney transplant, which is typically grafted into the lower abdomen rather than the loin, as this location is more surgically convenient.1
Additionally, if an extra organ is grafted into the body without removing the recipient's original organ, it is referred to as an auxiliary or accessory graft.1