title: Peripheral nerve conduits: technology update.
abstract: Peripheral nerve injury is a worldwide clinical problem which could lead to loss of neuronal communication along sensory and motor nerves between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral organs and impairs the quality of life of a patient. The primary requirement for the treatment of complete lesions is a tension-free, end-to-end repair. When end-to-end repair is not possible, peripheral nerve grafts or nerve conduits are used. The limited availability of autografts, and drawbacks of the allografts and xenografts like immunological reactions, forced the researchers to investigate and develop alternative approaches, mainly nerve conduits. In this review, recent information on the various types of conduit materials (made of biological and synthetic polymers) and designs (tubular, fibrous, and matrix type) are being presented.
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN, Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey ; Department of Biotechnology, METU, Ankara, Turkey ; Department of Bioengineering, Gumushane University, Gumushane, Turkey.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arslantunali
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN, Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey ; Department of Biotechnology, METU, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dursun
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN, Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey ; Faculty of Engineering, Department of Medical Engineering, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey ; School of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yucel
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN, Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey ; Department of Biotechnology, METU, Ankara, Turkey ; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, METU, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hasirci
authors.affiliation: BIOMATEN, Center of Excellence in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey ; Department of Biotechnology, METU, Ankara, Turkey ; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, METU, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hasirci
keywords: natural biomaterials; peripheral nerve injury; synthetic biomaterials