How Do Sutures Dissolve

Common biodegradable polymers for medical devices are constructed from synthetic linear aliphatic polyesters. One material commonly used for internal sutures is poly(glycolic acid) (PGA). PGA is synthesized from the dimer of glycolic acid (Fig. 13.1.1)3 1 

PGA degrades by hydrolysis to produce carbon dioxide and glycolic acid (Fig. 13.1.2), which is either excreted or enzymatically converted to other metabo- 

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