Accelerated Degradation of polymeric surgical suture materials

Abstract

The degradable polymer Polydioxanone (PDO) is used for medical implants since 1981. Manufacturers state a degradation timeframe of <180 days or an absorption duration of 182-238 days [1, 2]. Aim of this study was to find in vitro-conditions to degrade PDO films within four weeks. Therefore the degradation of PDO was performed in accelerated conditions in tempered alkaline glycine NaOH buffer. Molecular weight and mass loss were studied. PDO results were compared with poly lactic-co-glycolic acid P(LLA-co-GA).

Keywords

• biodegradable polydioxanone
• poly lactic-coglycolic acid
• accelerated degradation
• alkaline