The Microstructures and Materials of Nerve Conduits Used in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

The curing of nerve injuries by bridging nerve gaps remains not only a pressing medical need, but also a great operative challenge for surgeons. Autologous nerve grafting have long been considered the gold standard of repairing injured nerves for its outcomes, but nevertheless it can be made better by eliminating its drawbacks. Advances in the field of tissue engineering have led to the development of artificial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs), each striving to be viable alternatives to autograft. There is now a diverse array of biomaterials, either of natural or synthetic origin, that when combined with well-defined fabrication techniques, have produced neural scaffolds with different structures and properties. This article critically reviews the requirements of an ideal nerve guidance conduit (NGC), by analyzing available materials, structures and suitability for clinical application as conduits for peripheral nerve repair. Their characteristics, benefits and drawbacks will be compared with respect to their development history and future development potential.