title: Approaches to Peripheral Nerve Repair: Generations of Biomaterial Conduits Yielding to Replacing Autologous Nerve Grafts in Craniomaxillofacial Surgery.
abstract: Peripheral nerve injury is a common clinical entity, which may arise due to traumatic, tumorous, or even iatrogenic injury in craniomaxillofacial surgery. Despite advances in biomaterials and techniques over the past several decades, reconstruction of nerve gaps remains a challenge. Autografts are the gold standard for nerve reconstruction. Using autografts, there is donor site morbidity, subsequent sensory deficit, and potential for neuroma development and infection. Moreover, the need for a second surgical site and limited availability of donor nerves remain a challenge. Thus, increasing efforts have been directed to develop artificial nerve guidance conduits (ANCs) as new methods to replace autografts in the future. Various synthetic conduit materials have been tested in vitro and in vivo, and several first- and second-generation conduits are FDA approved and available for purchase, while third-generation conduits still remain in experimental stages. This paper reviews the current treatment options, summarizes the published literature, and assesses future prospects for the repair of peripheral nerve injury in craniomaxillofacial surgery with a particular focus on facial nerve regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9061-7220
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gaudin
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Knipfer
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Hamburg, Lesserstraße 180, 22049 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1365-7058
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Henningsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0207-5474
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Max
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4987-2913
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heiland
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hadlock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000601:surgery; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials