Published online Feb 16, 2015. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i2.141
Peer-review started: September 5, 2014
First decision: October 14, 2014
Revised: November 7, 2014
Accepted: November 17, 2014
Article in press: November 19, 2014
Published online: February 16, 2015
Processing time: 153 Days and 7.9 Hours
The gold standard of peripheral nerve repair is nerve autograft when tensionless repair is not possible. Use of nerve autograft has several shortcomings, however. These include limited availability of donor tissue, sacrifice of a functional nerve, and possible neuroma formation. In order to address these deficiencies, researchers have developed a variety of biomaterials available for repair of peripheral nerve gaps. We review the clinical studies published in the English literature detailing outcomes and reconstructive options. Regardless of the material used or the type of nerve repaired, outcomes are generally similar to nerve autograft in gaps less than 3 cm. New biomaterials currently under preclinical evaluation may provide improvements in outcomes.
Core tip: Nerve autograft is the gold standard for peripheral nerve reconstruction with gap. However, shortcomings of autograft have led researchers to investigate various biomaterials to improve outcomes. Clinical studies of peripheral nerve reconstruction with conduit other than autograft show similar outcomes in gaps less than 3 cm.