Abstract
In vivo and in vitro degradation of high molecular weight poly(L-lactide) used for internal bone fixation has been investigated. Within 3 months as-polymerized, microporous PLLA ( M- v = 6.8–9.5 sx 10 5) exhibited a massive strength-loss ( gs b = 68–75 MPa to gs b = 4 MPa) and decrease of M- v (90–95%). At week 39, the first signs of resorption were evident (mass-loss 5 wt%). Except for dynamically loaded bone plates no differences between In vivo and in vitro degradation of PLLA were observed. The increase of crystallinity of PLLA upon degradation (up to 83%) is likely to be attributed to recrystallizaton of tie-chain segments. A more ductile PLLA exhibiting a lower rate of degradation was prepared by extraction of low molecular weight compounds with ethyl acetate.
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