ISSN:
0021-9304
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Technology
Notes:
Topographical changes which occur during the degradation of suture materials were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Potentially absorbable sutures were compared with those known to be absorbable. Loops of plain catgut, chromic catgut, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyester “A” and polyester “B” were implanted subcutaneously in rats for periods ranging from 2 to 14 weeks. They were removed and examined without further treatment. Specific and localized structural defects were observed to develop in the implant materials. In some cases the time required for development of these defects indicated that although they can be assumed to play a role in the ultimate dissolution of the material, these flaws are not necessarily responsible for the early loss of mechanical properties which have been observed by others. The implications of these observations for the development and evaluation of synthetic surgical repair materials are discussed.
Additional Material:
17 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.820070210
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