Influence of aging on the peripheral nerve repair process using an artificial nerve conduit

Repair and regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve (PN) is a challenging issue in clinics. Although the regeneration outcome of large PN defects is currently unsatisfactory, recently, the study of PN repair has considerably progressed. In particular, biomaterials for repairing PNs, such as nerve guidance conduits and nerve repair membranes, have been well developed. Herein, we summarize the anatomy of the PN, the pathophysiological features of the nerve injury, and the repair process post injury. Then, we highlight the progress in the development of natural and synthetic biomaterials and summarize the applications, advantages, and disadvantages of these materials. These materials can be used as nerve repair membranes and nerve conduits in the field of PN repair. Finally, we discuss the challenges encountered and development strategies for PN repair in the future.

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Conductive conduit small gap tubulization for peripheral nerve repair

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/d0ra02143a ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (28) ◽

pp. 16769-16775

Author(s):

Xingxing Fang ◽

Jiuxu Deng ◽

Wei Zhang ◽

Haichang Guo ◽

Fei Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Nerve ◽

Nerve Repair ◽

Nerve Conduit ◽

Peripheral Nerve Repair ◽

Selective Regeneration

rGO-based conductive nerve conduit as a scaffold to bridge peripheral nerve transected injury and 2 mm gap provides a suitable microenvironment for axons selective regeneration.

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Designing ideal conduits for peripheral nerve repair

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/foc.2009.26.2.e5 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. E5 ◽

Cited By ~ 204

Author(s):

Godard C. W. de Ruiter ◽

Martijn J. A. Malessy ◽

Michael J. Yaszemski ◽

Anthony J. Windebank ◽

Robert J. Spinner

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Nerve ◽

Nerve Repair ◽

Small Diameter ◽

Nerve Conduit ◽

Close Collaboration ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Peripheral Nerve Repair ◽

Single Lumen ◽

Complex Process ◽

The Common

Nerve tubes, guides, or conduits are a promising alternative for autologous nerve graft repair. The first biodegradable empty single lumen or hollow nerve tubes are currently available for clinical use and are being used mostly in the repair of small-diameter nerves with nerve defects of < 3 cm. These nerve tubes are made of different biomaterials using various fabrication techniques. As a result these tubes also differ in physical properties. In addition, several modifications to the common hollow nerve tube (for example, the addition of Schwann cells, growth factors, and internal frameworks) are being investigated that may increase the gap that can be bridged. This combination of chemical, physical, and biological factors has made the design of a nerve conduit into a complex process that demands close collaboration of bioengineers, neuroscientists, and peripheral nerve surgeons. In this article the authors discuss the different steps that are involved in the process of the design of an ideal nerve conduit for peripheral nerve repair.

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