A scaffold-free Bio 3D nerve conduit for repair of a 10-mm peripheral nerve defect in the rats

Microsurgery. 2020 Feb;40(2):207-216. doi: 10.1002/micr.30533. Epub 2019 Nov 14.

Abstract

Introduction: A Bio 3D printed nerve conduit was reported to promote nerve regeneration in a 5 mm nerve gap model. The purpose of this study was to fabricate Bio 3D nerve conduits suitable for a 10 mm nerve gap and to evaluate their capacity for nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve defect model.

Materials and methods: Eighteen F344 rats with immune deficiency (9-10 weeks old; weight, 200-250 g) were divided into three groups: a Bio 3D nerve conduit group (Bio 3D, n = 6), a nerve graft group (NG, n = 6), and a silicon tube group (ST, n = 6). A 12-mm Bio 3D nerve conduit or silicon tube was transplanted into the 10-mm defect of the right sciatic nerve. In the nerve graft group, reverse autografting was performed with an excised 10-mm nerve segment. Assessments were performed at 8 weeks after the surgery.

Results: In the region distal to the suture site, the number of myelinated axons in the Bio 3D group were significantly larger compared with the silicon group (2,548 vs. 950, p < .05). The myelinated axon diameter (MAD) and the myelin thickness (MT) of the regenerated axons in the Bio 3D group were significantly larger compared with those of the ST group (MAD: 3.09 vs. 2.36 μm; p < .01; MT: 0.59 vs. 0.40 μm, p < .01).

Conclusions: This study indicates that a Bio 3D nerve conduit can enhance peripheral nerve regeneration even in a 10 mm nerve defect model.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autografts
  • Axons
  • Nerve Regeneration*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Sciatic Nerve* / surgery