POLYLACTIC ACID FOR SURGICAL IMPLANTS
- 1 April 1966
- report
- Published by Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC)
Abstract
High molecular weight polymer from lactic acid can be made from the cyclic lactide intermediate, suitable for casting films or spinning fibers. The films are quire permeable to water vapor and can soften in presence of water. Histological studies indicate that the polylactic acid is non-toxic, nontissue reactive, and biodegradable, as evidenced further by the study of degradation of C14 tagged polymer in vivo. The degradation studies also point out that the polymer or its degradation products are not retained in any of the vital organs of the animals. The polymer implant, however, degrades slowly in vivo, losing 12-14% in three months. This study indicates polylactic acid to be a very suitable material for sutures, vascular grafts, and other surgical implants.Keywords
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