Single-Lumen and Multi-Lumen XXXX Nerve Conduits Fabricated by Stereolithography for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration In Vivo.

@entity35 @entity1897 @entity970 @entity968
UNASSIGNED: Background   The use of nerve conduits to facilitate nerve regrowth after @entity1897 is limited to defects less than 3 cm. The purpose of this study is to determine the capability of novel single and multi-lumen @entity968 ( @entity970 ) conduits manufactured by stereolithography to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Materials and Methods   Eight @entity35 with sharp transection injuries of the sciatic nerve were randomly assigned to receive single-lumen or multi-lumen @entity970 conduits to bridge a 10-mm gap. Sciatic nerve and conduit samples were harvested after 5 weeks, and axon number, myelin thickness, fiber diameter, and g-ratio were analyzed. The contralateral intact nerve was also harvested for comparison. Results   Partial nerve regeneration was observed in three out of four single-lumen conduits and one out of four multi-lumen conduits. Axon number in the single-lumen regenerated nerve approached that of the contralateral intact nerve at 4,492        2,810.0 and 6,080        627.9 fibers/mm(2), respectively. The percentage of small fibers was greater in the single-lumen conduit compared with the intact nerve, whereas myelin thickness and g-ratio were consistently greater in the autologous nerve. Axon regrowth through the multi-lumen conduits was severely limited. Conclusion   Single-lumen stereolithography-manufactured @entity970 nerve conduits promote nerve regeneration, with regenerating axon numbers approaching that of normal nerve. Multi-lumen conduits demonstrated significantly less nerve regeneration, possibly due to physical properties of the conduit inhibiting growth. Further studies are necessary to compare the efficacy of the two conduits for functional recovery and to elucidate the reasons underlying their differences in nerve regeneration potential.
