Absorbable sutures poly copolymer

Copolymers of S-caprolactone and L-lactide are elastomeric when prepared from 25% S-caprolactone and 75% L-lactide, and rigid when prepared from 10% S-caprolactone and 90% L-lactide (47). Blends of poly-DL-lactide and polycaprolactone polymers are another way to achieve unique elastomeric properties. Copolymers of S-caprolactone and glycoHde have been evaluated in fiber form as potential absorbable sutures. Strong, flexible monofilaments have been produced which maintain 11—37% of initial tensile strength after two weeks in vivo (48). 

Chu CC. The effect of pH on the in vitro degradation of poly (glycolide lactide) copolymer absorbable sutures. / Biomed Mater Res 1982 16 117-124. 

The first synthetic absorbable suture was made from a homopolymer of glycolic acid by Davis Geek Co. and manufactured with the tradename Dexon (1970). This suture was followed by a second material produced by Ethicon, Inc., in 1974, a copolymer of lactide and glycolide known as poly-glactine 910 or Vicryl. Both Vicryl and Dexon are made from polymer fibers, which are braided to produce sutures. In addition. Vicryl is Teflon coated for... 

Owing to its hydrolytic instability, initially, its use was limited. Currently, polyglycolide and its copolymers poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) with lactic acid, poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) with e-caprolactone, and poly(glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) with trimethylene carbonate) are widely used to develop synthetic absorbable sutures that were marketed under the trade name of Dexon and are now sold as Surgicryl [61],... 

Polymers in the group of polyesters, specifically the family of polyflactic acid) (PLA), polyfglycolic acid) (PGA), and copolymers of lactic and glycolic acids (PLGAs), as well as poly(P-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) most closely fulfilled the criteria outlined above, including biocompatibility, processability, and controlled degradation [8]. These polymers, many descendant of absorbable suture materials developed a couple of decades ago, were approved for in vivo use by the Food... 

Scanning electron images of some commercial absorbable sutures (a) Chromic catgut polyglycolic acid family (b) Dexon poly(glycolide/L-lactide) copolymer or polyglactin 910 family ... 

Absorbable suture materials are catgut (collagen derived from sheep intestinal submucosa), reconstituted collagen, polyglycolide (e.g., Dexon , Dexon II , Dexon S ), poly(glycolide/lactide) random copolymer (e.g.. Vicryl ), antimicrobial-coated Vicryl (Vicryl Plus ), poly-/ -dioxanone (e.g., PDS , PDSII PDS Plus), poly(glycolide/trimethylene carbonate) block copolymer (e.g., Maxon ), poly(glycolide/e-caprolactone) (e.g., Monocryl ,... 

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (Fig. 1.16) is an aliphatic polyester polymerised by lactic acid which is made by fermentation of natural raw materials, for example, com starch and sugarcanes. Due to the chiral nature of lactic acid and its effects on the polymer s characteristics, the biodegradability and mechanical properties of PLA can be tailored by varying the proportion of different forms. Meanwhile, PLA can also copolymerise with other monomers or blend with other polymers to improve some properties of the material, eg, flexibility. PLA and PLA-based copolymers are the most popular biodegradable materials for the production of absorbable sutures (Li, 1999) (Fig. 1.16). 

Whereas most medical uses of polymeric materials require biostability, applications that use the biodegradable nature of some macromolecules have been developed. An example is the use of poly(glycolic acid) and glycolic acid/lactic acid copolymers as absorbable sutures, which go under the trade name Lactomer. 

The synthetic absorbable sutures are made from polymers capable of degradation in the biological environment without adverse effects. One overall advantage of absorbable sutures is the elimination of clinical visits for their removal. These sutures are either homopolymers or copolymers based on degradable polymeric units such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, or poly-/ -dioxanone. 

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