A 12-year perspective on the world's first total laryngeal transplant.

摘要

On January 4,1998, the world's first composite head and neck transplantation, including the complete larynx, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, five tracheal rings, and 75% of the pharynx, was performed after extensive animal model testing (1,2). To our knowledge, this effort represents the longest continuous survival of a first organ transplant, when an immu-nosuppressive regimen was used. This report presents a comprehensive 12-year review of the insights obtained through the treatment of this unique individual.