Injection of human mesenchymal stem cells improves healing of scarred vocal folds: analysis using a xenograft model.

Objectives/hypothesis: The aims were to analyze if improved histological and viscoelastic properties seen after injection of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in scarred vocal folds (VFs) of rabbits are sustainable and if the injected hMSCs survive 3 months in the VFs.

Study Design: Experimental xenograft model.

Methods: Eighteen VFs of 11 New Zealand white rabbits were scarred by a bilateral localized resection.