Biological conduits based on spider silk for reconstruction of extended nerve defects

Abstract

The availability of appropriate conduits remains an obstacle for successful reconstruction of long-distance nerve defects. In previous sheep trials, we were able to bridge 6 cm nerve gaps with nerve conduits based on spider silk fibers with full functional outcomes. Here, we describe the first application of spider silk for nerve repair in humans.

Keywords

• nerve defects
• biological nerve conduits
• spider silk
• guided regeneration
• nephila edulis, nerve reconstruction, plastic reconstuction