Polymers for Regeneration in the Peripheral Nervous System

Current polymeric entubulization repair methods for peripheral nerve regeneration use various nondegradable and biodegradable materials. The most common nondegradable material investigated has been silicone rubber. Medical grade silicone rubber, polydimethylsiloxane, maintains its shape and can be filled with neurotrophic factors or extracellular 

Schwann cells (grey cells) and regenerating axons 

A second surgery is required after regeneration to prevent secondary nerve injury due to compression (den Dunnen et al., 1996a). 

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