title: New mouse model for studying laryngeal transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laryngeal transplantation research has been studied in various animal models. For in-depth, immunology-based transplantation research, however, a thoroughly studied animal model must exist. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable surgical technique in mice to serve as a model for further study of laryngeal transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Heterotopic laryngeal transplantation was attempted in 15 immunocompetent mice by use of modifications of previously described techniques established in rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Various microvascular techniques were used that led to 8 successful transplants (of 15) with patent vascularity at the time of sacrifice. The first 7 attempts at transplantation were unsuccessful because of technical difficulties related to vessel size, soft tissue traumatic injury, and venous congestion. Subsequently, 8 transplantation procedures were successfully performed after modifications of the surgical technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study describes the reproducible surgical techniques performed in using mice for studying laryngeal transplantation. Mice are cost-effective and immunologically well studied, and are thus ideal for further laryngeal transplantation research.
authors: Head and Neck Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. tshipchandler@hotmail.com
authors: Taha Z
authors: TZ
authors: Shipchandler
authors: David G
authors: DG
authors: Lott
authors: Robert R
authors: RR
authors: Lorenz
authors: Aaron D
authors: AD
authors: Friedman
authors: Olivia
authors: O
authors: Dan
authors: Marshall
authors: M
authors: Strome
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004210:Dissection; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007830:Larynx / Q000637:transplantation*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D023421:Models, Animal; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting