Increased vascularisation enhances axonal regeneration within an acellular nerve conduit.

Despite major advances in microsurgical techniques, the functional results of periphery nerve repair remain largely unsatisfactory. Furthermore, if a defect exists such that a nerve graft is required, the results are generally worse than those following a primary repair. The autologous nerve graft, the current 'gold standard', has inherent disadvantages and there has been a long quest to find a suitable alternative.