Laser perforated accordion nerve conduit of poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-ɛ-caprolactone).

Abstract

Accordion nerve conduit of poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) with perforations was developed by excimer laser processing. We evaluated its in vivo function for nerve repairing and discussed the influence of pore size and density. It was found that perforations help inner nerve regeneration remarkably, which effect is unrelated to pore size or density, and is not parallel with revascularization increment. Inducing of permeability only to allow substance exchange but not vessel ingrowth could facilitate nerve regeneration too. Perforating micropores with the size of 100 μm and the density of 25/cm provides permeability and vessel ingrowth both, therefore promotes the axon extension the best, larger, and more pores do not advance axon regeneration more.