Abstract
The “nerve guide conduits” (NGC) used in nerve regeneration must mimic the natural environment for proper cell behavior. Objective: To describe the main morphological characteristics of polymeric NGC to promote nerve regeneration. Methods: A scoping review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) criteria in the PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases. Primary studies that considered/evaluated morphological characteristics of NGC to promote nerve regeneration were included. Result: A total of 704 studies were found, of which 52 were selected. The NGC main morphological characteristics found in the literature were: (I) NGC diameter affects the mechanical properties of the scaffold. (II) Wall thickness of NGC determines the exchange of nutrients, molecules, and neurotrophins between the internal and external environment; and influences the mechanical properties and biodegradation, similarly to NGC (III) porosity, (IV) pore size, and (V) pore distribution. The (VI) alignment of the NGC fibers influences the phenotype of cells involved in nerve regeneration. In addition, the (VII) thickness of the polymeric fiber influences neurite extension and orientation. Conclusions: An NGC should have its diameter adjusted to the nerve with wall thickness, porosity, pore size, and distribution of pores, to favor vascularization, permeability, and exchange of nutrients, and retention of neurotrophic factors, also favoring its mechanical properties and biodegradability.
Highlights
This article is an open access articlePeripheral nerve injuries are disabling [1] because the anatomical recovery of damaged peripheral nerves and sensory and motor functions after injury are not ideal [1,2,3]
Knowledge of the anatomy of peripheral nervous tissue provides the foundation on which biomimetic nerve guide conduit” (NGC) can develop, featuring the tubular construction of the outer wall that emulates the epineurium to guide nerve regeneration [3]
A scoping review was performed of the main morphological characteristics of a tubular scaffold to promote peripheral nerve regeneration
Summary
This article is an open access articlePeripheral nerve injuries are disabling [1] because the anatomical recovery of damaged peripheral nerves and sensory and motor functions after injury are not ideal [1,2,3]. The literature has described different treatment alternatives, one of which is the autograft that is considered the “Gold Standard” treatment for nerve injuries This solution has inherent limitations including donor site morbidity, scar tissue formation, shortage of donor’s nerves, and inadequate return of function [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. Under this scenario, the “nerve guide conduit” (NGC) or scaffold arose, intending to seek new treatment alternatives for a nerve disruption [9,10]. Knowledge of the anatomy of peripheral nervous tissue provides the foundation on which biomimetic NGCs can develop, featuring the tubular construction of the outer wall that emulates the epineurium to guide nerve regeneration [3]
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