Background Laryngeal allotransplantation (LA) is a technique involving transplantation of a
deceased donor's larynx into a recipient, and it may be substituted for conventional
laryngeal reconstruction. There are widely different views on LA, as the recipient
is administered continuous, potentially life-threatening, immunosuppressive therapy
for a functional or aesthetic result, which is not directly related to life extension.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the difference in risk acceptance and expectations
of LA between four population groups.
Methods A survey was performed to examine patients' risk acceptance and expectations of
LA. The survey included 287 subjects in total (general public, n=100; kidney transplant
recipients, n=53; post-laryngectomy patients, n=34; doctors, n=100), using a Korean
translated version of the louisville instrument for transplantation (LIFT) questionnaire.
Results All four groups responded differently at various levels of their perception in risk
acceptance and expectations. The kidney transplant recipients reported the highest
risk acceptance and expectations, and the doctor group the lowest.
Conclusions This study examined the disparate perception between specific population groups
of the risks and benefits of using LA for the promotion of the quality of life. By
addressing the information gaps about LA in the different populations that have been
highlighted from this survey, we suggest that LA can become a more viable alternative
to classical surgery with resultant improved quality of life for patients.
Keywords
Larynx - Reconstructive surgical procedures - Patient acceptance of healthcare - Data
collection
