Nerve guide conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair: A review on design, materials and fabrication methods

Vijayavenkataraman, Sanjairaj

doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2020.02.003

Cited by 556Nerve injury and regenerationNeuroscience and Neural EngineeringTissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Nerve guide conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair: A review on design, materials and fabrication methods

Vijayavenkataraman, Sanjairaj·2020·Acta Biomaterialia

DOI 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.02.003

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Abstract

Peripheral nerves can sustain injuries due to loss of structure and/or function of peripheral nerves because of accident, trauma and other causes, which leads to partial or complete loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions and neuropathic pain. Even with the extensive knowledge on the pathophysiology and regeneration mechanisms of peripheral nerve injuries (PNI), reliable treatment methods that ensure full functional recovery are scant. Nerve autografting is the current gold standard for treatment of PNI. Given the limitations of autografts including donor site morbidity and limited supply, alternate treatment methods are being pursued by the researchers. Neural guide conduits (NGCs) are increasingly being considered as a potential alternative to nerve autografts. The anatomy of peripheral nerves, classification of PNI, and current treatment methods are briefly yet succinctly reviewed. A detailed review on the various designs of NGCs, the different materials used for making the NGCs, and the fabrication methods adopted is presented in this work. Much progress had been made in all the aspects of making an NGC, including the design, materials and fabrication techniques. The advent of advanced technologies such as additive manufacturing and 3D bioprinting could be beneficial in easing the production of patient-specific NGCs. NGCs with supporting cells or stem cells, NGCs loaded with neurotropic factors and drugs, and 4D printed NGCs are some of the futuristic areas of interest. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Neural guide conduits (NGCs) are increasingly being considered as a potential alternative to nerve autografts in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. A detailed review on the various designs of NGCs, the different materials used for making the NGCs, and the fabrication methods (including Additive Manufacturing) adopted is presented in this work.

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Peripheral Nerve Injury Treatments and Advances: One Health Perspective
Lopes, B., Sousa, P., Alvites, R., Branquinho, M., Sousa, A. C., Mendonça, C., Atayde, L. M., Luís, A. L., Varejão, A. S. P., & Maurício, A. C. (2022) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms23020918 · Cited by 381 · see citing works
Micropatterned Poly(D,L-Lactide-Co-Caprolactone) Conduits With KHI-Peptide and NGF Promote Peripheral Nerve Repair After Severe Traction Injury
Yu, X., Zhang, D., Liu, C., Liu, Z., Li, Y., Zhao, Q., Gao, C., & Wang, Y. (2021) · Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology · doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.744230 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Application of PLCL as a biodegradable polymer in biomedical engineering
Zhao, Y., & Liu, H. (2026) · Journal of Materials Science Materials in Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10856-026-07016-3 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“The directional microstructure was further designed to promote the directional growth of nerve ﬁ bers [180].”

Authors: Vijayavenkataraman, S.
Affiliations: New York University Abu Dhabi (AE)
Corresponding author: Vijayavenkataraman, Sanjairaj
ORCID: Vijayavenkataraman, Sanjairaj
Venue: Acta Biomaterialia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2020-04
Volume: 106
Pages: 54-69
ISSN: 1742-7061 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.02.003
OpenAlex: W3004759799
Cited by: 556
References: 129
Citations by year: 2026: 68 · 2025: 106 · 2024: 113 · 2023: 100 · 2022: 91 · 2021: 55 · 2020: 23
FWCI: 9.31
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
Locations: Acta Biomaterialia (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Nerve injury and regeneration
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Keywords: peripheral nerve injury, peripheral nerve regeneration, biomaterials, fabrication techniques, additive manufacturing, 3D bioprinting, 4D printing, supporting cells, stem cells, neurotrophic factors, drug delivery
MeSH terms: Animals, Biocompatible Materials, Humans, Nerve Regeneration, Peripheral Nerves, Cell Line, Tumor, Tissue Scaffolds, Peripheral Nerve Injuries

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Nerve guide conduits for peripheral nerve injury repair: A review on design, materials and fabrication methods

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