LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF DEGRADATION AND FOREIGN-BODY REACTION OF SUBCUTANEOUSLY IMPLANTED POLY(DL-LACTIDE-EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degradation and foreign-body reaction of poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) (PLA(85)CL(50)) bar s. This specific biomaterial is used for the construction of nerve gui des, which can be used in the reconstruction of short nerve gaps. Subc utaneously implanted PLA(85)CL(50) bars were harvested after implantat ion periods ranging from 3 to 12 months and evaluated for the rate of degradation and the degree of foreign-body reaction. It was observed t hat this copolymer degraded completely within 12 months and that no la ctide or epsilon-caprolactone crystals were formed. Furthermore, we co nclude that the foreign-body reaction of PLA(85)CL(50) is very mild. T hese properties make the amorphous copolymer of DL-lactide and epsilon -caprolactone (50:50) suitable for the construction of nerve guides. ( C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.