diff --git a/packages/apidom-ast/src/traversal/visitor.ts b/packages/apidom-ast/src/traversal/visitor.ts
index e79cdf9166..fc9aee74d6 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ast/src/traversal/visitor.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ast/src/traversal/visitor.ts
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ export const visit = (
   let inArray = Array.isArray(root);
   let keys = [root];
   let index = -1;
-  let parent;
+  let parent: any;
   let edits = [];
   let node = root;
   const path: any[] = [];
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ export const visit = (
   do {
     index += 1;
     const isLeaving = index === keys.length;
-    let key;
+    let key: any;
     const isEdited = isLeaving && edits.length !== 0;
     if (isLeaving) {
       key = ancestors.length === 0 ? undefined : path.pop();
@@ -444,8 +444,21 @@ export const visit = (
         for (const [stateKey, stateValue] of Object.entries(state)) {
           visitor[stateKey] = stateValue;
         }
+
+        const link = {
+          // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-loop-func
+          replaceWith(newNode: any, replacer?: any) {
+            if (typeof replacer === 'function') {
+              replacer(newNode, node, key, parent, path, ancestors);
+            } else if (parent) {
+              parent[key] = newNode;
+            }
+            node = newNode;
+          },
+        };
+
         // retrieve result
-        result = visitFn.call(visitor, node, key, parent, path, ancestors);
+        result = visitFn.call(visitor, node, key, parent, path, ancestors, link);
       }
 
       // check if the visitor is async
@@ -531,7 +544,7 @@ visit[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.promisify.custom')] = async (
   let inArray = Array.isArray(root);
   let keys = [root];
   let index = -1;
-  let parent;
+  let parent: any;
   let edits = [];
   let node: any = root;
   const path: any[] = [];
@@ -541,7 +554,7 @@ visit[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.promisify.custom')] = async (
   do {
     index += 1;
     const isLeaving = index === keys.length;
-    let key;
+    let key: any;
     const isEdited = isLeaving && edits.length !== 0;
     if (isLeaving) {
       key = ancestors.length === 0 ? undefined : path.pop();
@@ -610,8 +623,20 @@ visit[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.promisify.custom')] = async (
           visitor[stateKey] = stateValue;
         }
 
+        const link = {
+          // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-loop-func
+          replaceWith(newNode: any, replacer?: any) {
+            if (typeof replacer === 'function') {
+              replacer(newNode, node, key, parent, path, ancestors);
+            } else if (parent) {
+              parent[key] = newNode;
+            }
+            node = newNode;
+          },
+        };
+
         // retrieve result
-        result = await visitFn.call(visitor, node, key, parent, path, ancestors); // eslint-disable-line no-await-in-loop
+        result = await visitFn.call(visitor, node, key, parent, path, ancestors, link); // eslint-disable-line no-await-in-loop
       }
 
       if (result === breakSymbol) {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ast/test/traversal/visitor.ts b/packages/apidom-ast/test/traversal/visitor.ts
index 783ad72fe7..3ee58ee9b5 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ast/test/traversal/visitor.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ast/test/traversal/visitor.ts
@@ -52,6 +52,53 @@ describe('visitor', function () {
     });
   });
 
+  context('given node is replaced with mutation', function () {
+    let visitor: any;
+    let structure: any;
+
+    beforeEach(function () {
+      visitor = {
+        number(node: any, key: any, parent: any, path: any, ancestors: any, link: any) {
+          if (node.type === 'number') {
+            link.replaceWith({ type: 'foo', value: 'bar' });
+          }
+        },
+        foo: {
+          leave: sinon.spy(),
+        },
+      };
+      structure = {
+        type: 'object',
+        children: [
+          { type: 'number', value: 1 },
+          { type: 'string', value: 'test' },
+          { type: 'object', children: [] },
+        ],
+      };
+    });
+
+    specify('should replace node', function () {
+      // @ts-ignore
+      visit(structure, visitor, { keyMap: { object: ['children'] } });
+
+      assert.deepEqual(structure, {
+        type: 'object',
+        children: [
+          { type: 'foo', value: 'bar' },
+          { type: 'string', value: 'test' },
+          { type: 'object', children: [] },
+        ],
+      });
+    });
+
+    specify('should revisit replaced node', function () {
+      // @ts-ignore
+      visit(structure, visitor, { keyMap: { object: ['children'] } });
+
+      assert.isTrue(visitor.foo.leave.calledOnce);
+    });
+  });
+
   context('mergeAll', function () {
     context('given exposeEdits=true', function () {
       specify('should see edited node', function () {
@@ -168,6 +215,43 @@ describe('visitor', function () {
       });
     });
 
+    specify('should see replaced node by mutation in leave hook', function () {
+      const visitor1 = {
+        string: {
+          enter(node: any, key: any, parent: any, path: any, ancestors: any, link: any) {
+            link.replaceWith({ type: 'foo', value: 'bar' });
+          },
+        },
+      };
+      const visitor2 = {
+        foo: {
+          leave(node: any) {
+            node.value = 'foo'; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+          },
+        },
+      };
+      const structure = {
+        type: 'object',
+        children: [
+          { type: 'number', value: 1 },
+          { type: 'string', value: 2 },
+          { type: 'object', children: [] },
+        ],
+      };
+      const mergedVisitor = mergeAllVisitors([visitor1, visitor2]);
+      // @ts-ignore
+      const newStructure = visit(structure, mergedVisitor, { keyMap: { object: ['children'] } });
+
+      assert.deepEqual(newStructure, {
+        type: 'object',
+        children: [
+          { type: 'number', value: 1 },
+          { type: 'foo', value: 'foo' },
+          { type: 'object', children: [] },
+        ],
+      });
+    });
+
     context('given async visitor in sync mode', function () {
       specify('should throw error', function () {
         const visitor1 = {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-core/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-core/test/refractor/index.ts
index 73a45e30a3..db26c8ba90 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-core/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-core/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             },
           );
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.ObjectElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.ObjectElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             },
           );
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.ObjectElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.ObjectElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-api-design-systems/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-api-design-systems/test/refractor/index.ts
index 1af8bd027b..5e1ca66afb 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-api-design-systems/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-api-design-systems/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.MainElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.MainElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.MainElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.MainElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-asyncapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-asyncapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts
index 1d9f7d133c..adbd77eefe 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-asyncapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-asyncapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.AsyncApiVersionElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.AsyncApiVersionElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.AsyncApiVersionElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.AsyncApiVersionElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-4/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-4/test/refractor/index.ts
index 4cfbed59fe..06bae260c1 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-4/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-4/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-6/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-6/test/refractor/index.ts
index b039085d30..56d6b5f42a 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-6/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-6/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.MediaElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-7/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-7/test/refractor/index.ts
index 544dece76d..9a28c2913e 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-7/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-json-schema-draft-7/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.LinkDescriptionElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.LinkDescriptionElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.LinkDescriptionElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.LinkDescriptionElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts
index 6735b12d2b..2547480e88 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-2/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.SwaggerVersionElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.SwaggerVersionElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.SwaggerVersionElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.SwaggerVersionElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-0/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-0/test/refractor/index.ts
index deaee454dd..b605fdc3ad 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-0/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-0/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-1/test/refractor/index.ts b/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-1/test/refractor/index.ts
index ba41ffca40..2347060ba5 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-1/test/refractor/index.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-ns-openapi-3-1/test/refractor/index.ts
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin1Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ describe('refractor', function () {
             plugins: [plugin1, plugin2],
           });
 
-          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 5);
+          assert.lengthOf(plugin2Spec.visitor.OpenapiElement.firstCall.args, 6);
         });
 
         specify('should receive node as first argument', function () {
diff --git a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/asyncapi-2/visitor.ts b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/asyncapi-2/visitor.ts
index dca4210454..4ff7c4fd50 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/asyncapi-2/visitor.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/asyncapi-2/visitor.ts
@@ -42,6 +42,20 @@ const visitAsync = visit[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.promisify.custom')];
 // initialize element identity manager
 const identityManager = new IdentityManager();
 
+// custom mutation replacer
+const mutationReplacer = (
+  newElement: Element,
+  oldElement: Element,
+  key: string | number,
+  parent: Element | undefined,
+) => {
+  if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
+    parent.value = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
+    parent[key] = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  }
+};
+
 export interface AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitorOptions {
   readonly namespace: Namespace;
   readonly reference: Reference;
@@ -145,6 +159,7 @@ class AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // skip current referencing element as it's already been access
     if (this.indirections.includes(referencingElement)) {
@@ -230,11 +245,7 @@ class AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -297,11 +308,7 @@ class AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
         cloneDeep(identityManager.identify(referencingElement)),
       );
 
-      if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-        parent.value = booleanJsonSchemaElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-        parent[key] = booleanJsonSchemaElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      }
+      link.replaceWith(booleanJsonSchemaElement, mutationReplacer);
 
       return !parent ? booleanJsonSchemaElement : false;
     }
@@ -327,11 +334,7 @@ class AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(mergedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -345,6 +348,7 @@ class AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore ChannelItemElement without $ref field
     if (!isStringElement(referencingElement.$ref)) {
@@ -427,11 +431,7 @@ class AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : undefined;
       }
@@ -513,11 +513,7 @@ class AsyncAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(referencedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
diff --git a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-2/visitor.ts b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-2/visitor.ts
index 5a18676679..0e22f13c16 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-2/visitor.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-2/visitor.ts
@@ -44,6 +44,20 @@ const visitAsync = visit[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.promisify.custom')];
 // initialize element identity manager
 const identityManager = new IdentityManager();
 
+// custom mutation replacer
+const mutationReplacer = (
+  newElement: Element,
+  oldElement: Element,
+  key: string | number,
+  parent: Element | undefined,
+) => {
+  if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
+    parent.value = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
+    parent[key] = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  }
+};
+
 export interface OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitorOptions {
   readonly namespace: Namespace;
   readonly reference: Reference;
@@ -147,6 +161,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // skip current referencing element as it's already been access
     if (this.indirections.includes(referencingElement)) {
@@ -232,11 +247,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -304,11 +315,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(mergedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -322,6 +329,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore PathItemElement without $ref field
     if (!isStringElement(referencingElement.$ref)) {
@@ -404,11 +412,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -488,11 +492,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(referencedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -506,6 +506,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // skip current referencing element as it's already been access
     if (this.indirections.includes(referencingElement)) {
@@ -576,6 +577,8 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
 
     // detect second deep dive into the same fragment and avoid it
     if (ancestorsLineage.includes(referencedElement)) {
+      reference.refSet!.circular = true;
+
       if (this.options.dereference.circular === 'error') {
         throw new ApiDOMError('Circular reference detected');
       } else if (this.options.dereference.circular === 'replace') {
@@ -589,13 +592,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
-
-        reference.refSet!.circular = true;
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -663,11 +660,7 @@ class OpenAPI2DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(mergedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
diff --git a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-0/visitor.ts b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-0/visitor.ts
index 24cb4444e3..96fb0aa7dc 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-0/visitor.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-0/visitor.ts
@@ -46,6 +46,20 @@ const visitAsync = visit[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.promisify.custom')];
 // initialize element identity manager
 const identityManager = new IdentityManager();
 
+// custom mutation replacer
+const mutationReplacer = (
+  newElement: Element,
+  oldElement: Element,
+  key: string | number,
+  parent: Element | undefined,
+) => {
+  if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
+    parent.value = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
+    parent[key] = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  }
+};
+
 export interface OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitorOptions {
   readonly namespace: Namespace;
   readonly reference: Reference;
@@ -149,6 +163,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // skip current referencing element as it's already been access
     if (this.indirections.includes(referencingElement)) {
@@ -234,11 +249,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -305,11 +316,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(mergedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -323,6 +330,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore PathItemElement without $ref field
     if (!isStringElement(referencingElement.$ref)) {
@@ -405,11 +413,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : undefined;
       }
@@ -491,11 +495,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(referencedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -507,6 +507,9 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
     linkElement: LinkElement,
     key: string | number,
     parent: Element | undefined,
+    path: (string | number)[],
+    ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore LinkElement without operationRef or operationId field
     if (!isStringElement(linkElement.operationRef) && !isStringElement(linkElement.operationId)) {
@@ -565,11 +568,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
       /**
        * Transclude Link Object containing Operation Object in its meta.
        */
-      if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-        parent.value = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-        parent[key] = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      }
+      link.replaceWith(linkElementCopy, mutationReplacer);
 
       /**
        * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -596,11 +595,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
       /**
        * Transclude Link Object containing Operation Object in its meta.
        */
-      if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-        parent.value = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-        parent[key] = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      }
+      link.replaceWith(linkElementCopy, mutationReplacer);
 
       /**
        * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -615,6 +610,9 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
     exampleElement: ExampleElement,
     key: string | number,
     parent: Element | undefined,
+    path: (string | number)[],
+    ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore ExampleElement without externalValue field
     if (!isStringElement(exampleElement.externalValue)) {
@@ -656,11 +654,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_0DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude Example Object containing external value.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = exampleElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = exampleElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(exampleElementCopy, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
diff --git a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-1/visitor.ts b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-1/visitor.ts
index c885394b36..92ba3ea020 100644
--- a/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-1/visitor.ts
+++ b/packages/apidom-reference/src/dereference/strategies/openapi-3-1/visitor.ts
@@ -57,6 +57,20 @@ const visitAsync = visit[Symbol.for('nodejs.util.promisify.custom')];
 // initialize element identity manager
 const identityManager = new IdentityManager();
 
+// custom mutation replacer
+const mutationReplacer = (
+  newElement: Element,
+  oldElement: Element,
+  key: string | number,
+  parent: Element | undefined,
+) => {
+  if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
+    parent.value = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
+    parent[key] = newElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
+  }
+};
+
 export interface OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitorOptions {
   readonly namespace: Namespace;
   readonly reference: Reference;
@@ -160,6 +174,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // skip current referencing element as it's already been access
     if (this.indirections.includes(referencingElement)) {
@@ -243,11 +258,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -330,11 +341,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = mergedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(mergedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -348,6 +355,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore PathItemElement without $ref field
     if (!isStringElement(referencingElement.$ref)) {
@@ -430,11 +438,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -516,11 +520,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(referencedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -532,6 +532,9 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     linkElement: LinkElement,
     key: string | number,
     parent: Element | undefined,
+    path: (string | number)[],
+    ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore LinkElement without operationRef or operationId field
     if (!isStringElement(linkElement.operationRef) && !isStringElement(linkElement.operationId)) {
@@ -590,11 +593,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
       /**
        * Transclude Link Object containing Operation Object in its meta.
        */
-      if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-        parent.value = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-        parent[key] = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      }
+      link.replaceWith(linkElementCopy, mutationReplacer);
 
       /**
        * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -621,11 +620,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
       /**
        * Transclude Link Object containing Operation Object in its meta.
        */
-      if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-        parent.value = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-        parent[key] = linkElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      }
+      link.replaceWith(linkElementCopy, mutationReplacer);
 
       /**
        * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -640,6 +635,9 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     exampleElement: ExampleElement,
     key: string | number,
     parent: Element | undefined,
+    path: (string | number)[],
+    ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // ignore ExampleElement without externalValue field
     if (!isStringElement(exampleElement.externalValue)) {
@@ -681,11 +679,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude Example Object containing external value.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = exampleElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = exampleElementCopy; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(exampleElementCopy, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.
@@ -699,6 +693,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     parent: Element | undefined,
     path: (string | number)[],
     ancestors: [Element | Element[]],
+    link: { replaceWith: (element: Element, replacer: typeof mutationReplacer) => void },
   ) {
     // skip current referencing schema as $ref keyword was not defined
     if (!isStringElement(referencingElement.$ref)) {
@@ -858,11 +853,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
           this.options.dereference.circularReplacer;
         const replacement = replacer(refElement);
 
-        if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-          parent.value = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-          parent[key] = replacement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-        }
+        link.replaceWith(replacement, mutationReplacer);
 
         return !parent ? replacement : false;
       }
@@ -925,11 +916,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
         cloneDeep(identityManager.identify(referencingElement)),
       );
 
-      if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-        parent.value = booleanJsonSchemaElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-        parent[key] = booleanJsonSchemaElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-      }
+      link.replaceWith(booleanJsonSchemaElement, mutationReplacer);
 
       return !parent ? booleanJsonSchemaElement : false;
     }
@@ -968,11 +955,7 @@ class OpenAPI3_1DereferenceVisitor {
     /**
      * Transclude referencing element with merged referenced element.
      */
-    if (isMemberElement(parent)) {
-      parent.value = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    } else if (Array.isArray(parent)) {
-      parent[key] = referencedElement; // eslint-disable-line no-param-reassign
-    }
+    link.replaceWith(referencedElement, mutationReplacer);
 
     /**
      * We're at the root of the tree, so we're just replacing the entire tree.