Transplantation of Vascularized Submandibular Gland in Dogs

Abstract

Presently, treatments for xerostomia only target symptoms, as an active therapy method has not been established. Herein, we discuss the possibility of using a submandibular gland allograft technique for the disease. Using a vascularized submandibular gland transplantation method, we extracted portions of the submandibular gland, including the duct and chorda tympani branches, from beagle dogs and placed them into the submental region of age- and weight-matched dogs. We then measured the amount of saliva secretion and examined the grafted glands histologically. Sufficient quantities of saliva were secreted from the grafted glands with pilocarpine treatment. Histologic findings showed that the acinar cells in the grafted and untreated contralateral glands had some atrophy, as compared with the normal glands; however, periodic acid Schiff staining showed that they produced saliva. Transplantation of vascularized submandibular glands into dogs was successful and may become a novel treatment strategy for patients with xerostomia.