Laryngeal transplantation: current status 1974

There are four major areas of concern that must be examined before human laryngeal transplantation can be considered feasible in clinical practice. These are: 1. surgical mechanics of revascularization; 2. reinnervation; 3. prevention of host rejection; and 4. justification. Of these criteria, the first two habe been met sucessfully at present. Safe suppression of rejection without increased risk of cancer recurrence remains to be achieved. Until this third criterion is satisfied, one is probably not justified to make further attempts at laryngeal transplantation in humans.