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The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term peripheral nerve regeneration across a 15-mm gap in the sciatic nerve of the rat, using a thin-walled biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) nerve guide filled with modified denatured muscle tissue (MDMT). The evaluation was performed using transmission electron microscopy and morphometric analysis. Evaluation times ranged from 3 to 12 weeks after reconstruction. Already, 3 weeks after reconstruction, myelinated nerve fibers could be observed in the distal nerve stump. Twelve weeks after reconstruction, the number of (non)myelinated nerve fibers had significantly increased in the distal nerve stump. From this study, we can conclude that a thin-walled biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) nerve guides filled with MDMT can be successfully applied in the reconstruction of severed nerves in the rat model. Furthermore, we showed fast nerve regeneration across the 15-mm nerve gap and found that the use of MDMT functioned as a mechanical support preventing a collapse of this thin-walled nerve guide.

The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term peripheral nerve regeneration across a 10-mm. gap, using a biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolacton) nerve guide, with an internal diameter of 1.5 mm and a wall thickness of 0.30 mm. To do so, we evaluated regenerating nerves using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and morphometric analysis after implantation of 12-mm nerve guides in the sciatic nerve of the rat. Evaluation times ranged from 3-10 weeks. Three weeks after reconstruction, myelinated nerve fibers could be observed in the distal nerve stump. Ten weeks after reconstruction, the regenerating nerves already resembled normal nerves. In conclusion, we show that poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolacton) nerve guides can be successfully applied in the reconstruction of severed nerves in the rat model. Furthermore, we have observed the fastest nerve regeneration described thus far, after reconstruction using a biodegradable nerve guide.

Nerve regeneration using artificial biodegradable conduits is of increasing interest. The aim of this study is to evaluate the regeneration and maturation of a nerve after long-term implantation (2 years) of a biodegradable poly-L-lactide/poly-epsilon-caprolactone (PLLA/PCL) copolymeric nerve guide in the sciatic nerve of the rat. After harvesting, we evaluated both the regenerated nerves and the controls, using light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and morphometric techniques. Remnants of biomaterial were still present after 2 years of implantation, but the foreign body reaction was very mild at this stage, due to the rounded shapes of the polymer debris. Morphometric analysis showed significant differences between the regenerated nerve and the normal sciatic nerve: the number of myelinated fibers is higher, and the mean fiber diameter of the myelinated fibers in the regenerated nerve is smaller. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that the new PLLA/PCL nerve guide can provide optimal conditions for regeneration and maturation of damaged nerves.