title: Three-dimensional Reconstruction of the Microstructure of Human Acellular Nerve Allograft.
abstract: The exact inner 3D microstructure of the human peripheral nerve has been a mystery for decades. Therefore, it has been difficult to solve several problems regarding peripheral nerve injury and repair. We used high-resolution X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) to scan a freeze-dried human acellular nerve allograft (hANA). The microCT images were then used to reconstruct a 3D digital model, which was used to print a 3D resin model of the nerve graft. The 3D digital model of the hANA allowed visualization of all planes. The magnified 3D resin model clearly showed the nerve bundles and basement membrane tubes of the hANA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyse the microstructure of the hANA. Compared to the SEM images, the microCT image clearly demonstrated the microstructure of the hANA cross section at a resolution of up to 1.2 μm. The 3D digital model of the hANA facilitates a clear and easy understanding of peripheral nerve microstructure. Furthermore, the enlarged 3D resin model duplicates the unique inner structure of each individual hANA. This is a crucial step towards achieving 3D printing of a hANA or nerve that can be used as a nerve graft.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Shuang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Qingtang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaolin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: DSAPM and PCFM Lab, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Yutao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jian
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Liqiang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Liwei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Jianping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.|Center for Peripheral Nerve Tissue-engineering and Technology Research Guangdong, Guangzhou 510080, PR China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qi
mesh_terms: D064591:Allografts; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography