Laryngeal Transplantation

Loss of natural voice and the presence of a laryngostoma often stigmatizes head and neck cancer surgery patients following laryngectomy. Extensive research has been performed investigating the feasibility of laryngeal transplantation in animal models. This has thus far resulted in two long-term successful human laryngeal transplantations. The procedure is technically demanding and requires immunosuppression, but leads to considerable improvement in quality of life. Additional research into better immunosuppression and surgical techniques may make laryngeal transplantation more widespread in the future.