Long-term outcomes of composite auricle as a neurosensorial facial subunit allotransplant

A total of 22 composite auricle transplantations were performed in allogeneic experimental (group I, n = 10), allogeneic control (group IIa, n = 5), and isogeneic control (group IIb, n = 7) groups. Allotransplantations were carried out across major histocompatibility complex barrier from Lewis Brown Norway rats to Lewis rats. Isotransplantations were performed between Lewis rats. Group II group received no treatment. Allotransplant recipients in group I were immunosupressed by tapered dose of cyclosporine A for 100 days. Then the treatment was discontinued and immunologic, histopathologic, and clinic assessments including neurosensory recovery were carried out.Group IIa rejected their allografts within 7 to 9 days. All 10 animals from group I and 6 animals from group IIb survived for 100 days without infection, illness, signs of rejection, and graft versus host disease. Satisfactory sensory recovery was attained. Suppressed mixed lymphocyte reaction reactivity under CsA treatment was increased 10 days after cessation of the treatment. CD4-positive/RT1 and CD8-positive/RT1 chimeric cell rates were detected as 0.9% and 1.2% respectively at day 100.