Why are nipple grafts sometimes rejected if they’re part of your own body?

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When I look at masculinising chest surgeries, there’s of discussion on the possibility of nipple grafts failing partially or completely. Why is that? They’re part of your own body, shouldn’t it be impossible for it to get rejected?

In: Biology

Anonymous 0 Comments

It isn’t failing due to the same kind of rejection as transplanted organs etc… it can fail because the tissue didn’t get enough blood flow, infection harmed the tissue, etc. It isn’t really about the body actively attacking it as a foreign object- it has to do with poor wound healing. In this specific case, reattaching the nipple involves tiny blood vessels to heal in a way that allows the nipple to continue receiving blood flow. Otherwise the nipple tissue dies and once that happens, it will fall off or have to be removed to prevent worsening infection. Does that make sense?