Transplantation of a reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland in a dog

This study was performed to evaluate the possibility of using reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland transfer for treating keratoconjunctivitis sicca. A reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland, including the duct, from a beagle dog was transplanted into the temporal region in the same animal. 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy was used to monitor graft viability, and the grafted glands were examined histologically 12 weeks after transplantation. Postoperative 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy demonstrated viable salivary gland tissue in the transplanted region. Histologically, some of the acinar cells in the graft had atrophied. The transplantation of a reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland was successful and may be a simple, reliable treatment for patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.