Strategies for Peripheral Nerve Repair

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on biomechanical and cellular considerations required for development of biomaterials and engineered tissues suitable for implantation following PNI, as well as translational requirements relating to outcome measurements for testing success in patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Therapies that incorporate multiple aspects of the regenerative environment are likely to be key to improving therapies for nerve regeneration. This represents a complex challenge when considering the diversity of biological, chemical and mechanical factors involved. In addition, clinical outcome measures following peripheral nerve repair which are sensitive and responsive to changes in the tissue microenvironment following neural injury and regeneration are required. SUMMARY: Effective new therapies for the treatment of PNI are likely to include engineered tissues and biomaterials able to evoke a tissue microenvironment that incorporates both biochemical and mechanical features supportive to regeneration. Translational development of these technologies towards clinical use in humans drives a concomitant need for improved clinical measures to quantify nerve regeneration.