PERIPHERAL-NERVE RECONSTRUCTION WITH BIOABSORBABLE POLYPHOSPHAZENE CONDUITS

Tubes of poly[bis(ethylalanato)phosphazene], obtained by evaporating t he polymer around a 1.3 mm diameter capillary, were evaluated as guide s for nerve regeneration in an experimental animal model. In six Wista r rats, under general anesthesia and with microsurgical technique, the ischiatic nerve was bilaterally isolated. On the right side, a segmen t was removed to create a defect of 10 mm, that was repaired with the conduit; on the left side the defect was repaired with harvested nerve segment from the right side. Controls at 30, 90, 180 days showed slow and gradual absorption of the conduit without signs of local or gener al toxicity. Nerve fiber regeneration in the conduits was not signific antly different from that obtained with autologous grafts. Polyphospha zene conduits may be considered effective as a guide for nerve regener ation mainly in the perspective of using the polymer matrix as a carri er for neurite-promoting factors.