Tissue engineering of nanosilver-embedded peripheral nerve scaffold to repair nerve defects under contamination conditions.

Introduction: We employed a nanosilver-collagen scaffold and tested its effects on inhibiting bacteria and facilitating nerve regeneration.

Methods: Based on our previous research, we prepared bionic scaffolds with different concentrations of nanosilver and examined their internal structures by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. We implanted these scaffolds or autologous nerve grafts into rats to repair a 10-mm injury of the sciatic nerve.