Réalités et perspectives des allotransplantations laryngées

Laryngeal stenosis or amputation for tumor definitely impairs laryngeal functions with negative impact on quality of life. Experimental laryngeal transplantation has been carried out for nearly 40 years hoping that human transplantation would become feasible in the near future. Nearly 10 years ago, a 40 years old man with a long-standing history of recalcitrant laryngeal stenosis, benefited from a vascularized laryngeal allotransplantation. Speech and deglutition resumed quickly making of this first attempt a success. Although a tracheostomy canula and immunosuppressive regimen are still necessary, this man enjoyed a tremendous improvement in this quality of life. Cumulated experiences tend to demonstrate that laryngeal transplantation in human is not only feasible, but may represents the only chance for rehabilitation of number of laryngeal cripple. Induction of a functional tolerance may allow the necessary evaluation of laryngeal allotransplantation in humans.