Peripheral Nerve Injury: Current Challenges, Conventional Treatment Approaches, and New Trends in Biomaterials-Based...

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) represent a widespread health issue with substantial socioeconomic impact.
• Despite decades of research and increased understanding of injury pathophysiology, current standard grafting strategies for PNI repair remain suboptimal.
• Commercially available engineered nerve grafts also exhibit clinically insufficient performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the circumstances and consequences of PNI.
• To discuss the limitations and challenges associated with current PNI treatments, particularly for short- and long-gap defects.
• To identify innovative regenerative strategies and review advances in biomaterials for novel medical devices for PNI repair.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on PNI pathophysiology, treatment limitations, and regenerative strategies.
• Analysis of current and emerging biomaterials for nerve regeneration.
• Evaluation of strategies employing empty or filled nerve conduits for guided tissue regeneration.

Main Results:

• Current standard treatments and engineered grafts for PNI show suboptimal clinical outcomes.
• Significant challenges persist in addressing both short- and long-gap peripheral nerve defects.
• Advances in biomaterials and regenerative approaches, including nerve conduits, offer promising avenues for PNI repair.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for more effective strategies to repair peripheral nerve injuries.
• Innovative biomaterials and regenerative medicine approaches, such as guided tissue regeneration using nerve conduits, show potential for improving clinical outcomes.
• Further research into therapeutic molecules and advanced biomaterials is essential for developing next-generation PNI treatments.