Functional polymeric nerve guidance conduits and drug delivery strategies for peripheral nerve repair and regeneration

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries can be extremely debilitating, resulting in sensory and motor loss-of-function. Endogenous repair is limited to non-severe injuries in which transection of nerves necessitates surgical intervention. Traditional treatment approaches include the use of biological grafts and alternative engineering approaches have made progress. The current article serves as a comprehensive, in-depth perspective on peripheral nerve regeneration, particularly nerve guidance conduits and drug delivery strategies. A detailed background of peripheral nerve injury and repair pathology, and an in-depth look into augmented nerve regeneration, nerve guidance conduits, and drug delivery strategies provide a state-of-the-art perspective on the field.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Drug delivery; Nerve guidance conduits; Neural tissue engineering; Peripheral nerve injury.