Abstract
Cellular behavior in nerve regeneration is affected by the architecture of the polymeric nerve guide conduits (NGCs); therefore, design features of polymeric NGCs are critical for neural tissue engineering. Hence, the purpose of this scoping review is to summarize the adequate quantitative/morphometric parameters of the characteristics of NGC that provide a supportive environment for nerve regeneration, enhancing the understanding of a previous study. 394 studies were found, of which 29 studies were selected. The selected studies revealed four morphometric characteristics for promoting nerve regeneration: wall thickness, fiber size, pore size, and porosity. An NGC with a wall thickness between 250–400 μm and porosity of 60–80%, with a small pore on the inner surface and a large pore on the outer surface, significantly favored nerve regeneration; resulting in an increase in nutrient permeability, retention of neurotrophic factors, and optimal mechanical properties. On the other hand, the superiority of electrospun fibers is described; however, the size of the fiber is controversial in the literature, obtaining optimal results in the range of 300 nm to 30 µm. The incorporation of these optimal morphometric characteristics will encourage nerve regeneration and help reduce the number of experimental studies as it will provide the initial morphometric parameters for the preparation of an NGC.
Highlights
Peripheral nerve injuries have become a significant financial burden because their incidence has increased considerably in recent decades, bringing with them inherent morbidity, and lifelong disability [1,2]
Part I of the present study described seven structural characteristics of an nerve guide conduits (NGCs) considered important for promoting nerve regeneration, of which three are qualitative characteristics—adjustment of NGC, pore distribution, and NGC fiber alignment—and four quantitative characteristics—wall thickness, porosity, pore size and NGC fiber thickness [24]
The results of the present review provide basic information on the morphology of the NCG to support the regeneration of peripheral nerves
Summary
Peripheral nerve injuries have become a significant financial burden because their incidence has increased considerably in recent decades, bringing with them inherent morbidity, and lifelong disability [1,2]. The autograft is considered the gold standard treatment for this type of nerve injury, but it has several drawbacks, including sensory deficits caused by donor nerve surgery, limited nerve sources, neuroma formation, scarring, difficulties in repairing long segments, and the possibility of the nerve fibers not matching the donor nerve [4,5,8,9,10,11,12,13] This is why knowledge of new techniques is essential to achieve successful regeneration [9,10]. The mechanical properties ensure the stability of the scaffold materials, and the physical factors are determined by the external morphological characteristics of the scaffold, which involves the micro/macrostructure [17]
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