Evaluation of a multi-layer microbraided polylactic acid fiber-reinforced conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2009 May;20(5):1175-80. doi: 10.1007/s10856-008-3646-4. Epub 2008 Dec 30.

Abstract

We evaluated peripheral nerve regeneration using a biodegradable multi-layer microbraided polylactic acid (PLA) fiber-reinforced conduit. Biodegradability of the PLA conduit and its effectiveness as a guidance channel were examined as it was used to repair a 10 mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve. As a result, tube fragmentation was not obvious and successful regeneration through the gap occurred in all the conduits at 8 weeks after operation. These results indicate the superiority of the PLA materials and suggest that the multi-layer microbraided PLA fiber-reinforced conduits provide a promising tool for neuro-regeneration.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Electrophysiological Phenomena
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration / instrumentation
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration / methods*
  • Lactic Acid / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Materials Testing
  • Nerve Regeneration*
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sciatic Nerve / pathology
  • Sciatic Nerve / physiology
  • Sciatic Nerve / surgery
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyesters
  • Polymers
  • Lactic Acid
  • poly(lactide)