AUTOPLASTY, the repair of diseased or injured parts by pieces taken from another part of the same body. The practice is based on the fact that tissues transplanted to other portions of the same body will either continue to grow or will supply a frame work to support the reparative tissue. It is especially valuable where there has been extensive destruction of skin. Here usually small pieces of healthy skin are placed on the raw surface. These become islets of growth and gradually enlarge so as to merge and so cover the area. Occasionally in cosmetic work about the face flaps are used which are still left partially attached to their original sites so as to ensure the blood supply. Pieces of bone, particularly from the readily accessible shinbone, are used to help support the spine when it has been weakened by tuberculosis.