Vocal cord transplantation in dogs

Fifteen randomly selected mongrel dogs had their left true vocal cords homografted without the use of immuno suppressive agents. These animals were studied intensively over a 12 month period. Early evidence of an immune response was seen but no rejection occurred and the five long-term animals, three at seven months and two at one year, had normal appearing vocal cords with minimal evidence of histologic changes while their vocal outputs were nearly normal. It appears then that one can transplant canine vocal cords without immuno suppressive agents and obtain a good long-term functional result.