L. Demedinaceli et al., LARGE AMOUNTS OF POLYLACTIC ACID IN CONTACT WITH DIVIDED NERVE SHEATHS HAVE NO ADVERSE-EFFECTS ON REGENERATION, Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 11(1), 1995, pp. 43-49
The stumps of divided rat sciatic nerves were coapted by suturing the
epineurium to a small rectangular device made of a sheet of polylactic
acid. One month later, significant degradation of the implanted mater
ial was observed. At that time, the local condition of the nerve was e
xcellent, and the precise location of the initial injury could not be
determined by examination under the operating microscope. Histology co
nfirmed that there was no visible reaction to the biodegradable substa
nce or its metabolites, and that neurotization of the distal stump was
satisfactory. These findings were in agreement with those of other st
udies, and indicated that polylactic-acid devices affixed to divided n
erves have no adverse effect on regeneration.