Peripheral nerve regeneration through P(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guides.

P(DLLA-epsilon-CL) nerve guides can be used perfectly for short nerve gaps in rats, and are even better than short autologous nerve grafts. The tube dimensions, such as the internal diameter and wall thickness, are very important for the final outcome of peripheral nerve regeneration, as well as the recovery of nerve function. Before using biodegradable nerve guides in patients, it will be necessary to control the swelling the biomaterial during degradation. Copyright 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers