Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The development of microsurgical techniques and repairing technology of peripheral nerve injury is closely associated to nerve conduit materials. The nerve conduit materials need to be further studied and developed.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of nerve conduits in repairing peripheral nerve injury and to analyze the data results.
METHODS: A retrieval was performed for the literature about the application of nerve conduits in repairing peripheral nerve injury, published between 2001-01 and 2010-12, using the key words of “nerve conduit, biomaterials, peripheral nerve injury, nerve regeneration, chitosan/chitin nerve conduit, polymer/macromolecule nerve conduit, collagen nerve conduit” in Science Citation Index (SCI) database.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The repairing method of nerve conduit is to leave a gap between the nerve ends, bridge the distal and proximal nerve by nerve conduits, and create a relatively closed environment, to obstruct external influences, and reduce scar formation. At present, the nerve conduit materials are classified into non-neural tissues, non-biodegradable materials, and biodegradable materials. With the development of molecular biology and other related technologies, it is necessary to find ideal nerve conduits for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.