Nerve regeneration through synthetic biodegradable nerve guides: regulation by the target organ.

The successful regeneration of a multifascicular, complete peripheral nerve through a tubular synthetic biodegradable nerve guide across a gap of 10 mm in the rat sciatic nerve is reported. The importance of the distal nerve as a source of target-derived neuronotrophic factors necessary for the successful regeneration of the proximal regenerating nerve is emphasized. A simplified research model for further investigation into and manipulation of the biological processes of nerve regeneration is described. The potential clinical utilization of this model in the management of peripheral nerve injuries and, ultimately, central nervous system lesions is mentioned.