[X-ray diffraction analysis of disintegration of polyglycolic acid suture material both in vivo and in model media]

Examined were the structural variations of polyglycolic acid surgical suture material by X-ray diffraction methods subsequent to sejour in vivo and in several model mediums. After a long stay in vivo, water and buffer at pH 2 the following structural variations in the polymer were observed: diminution of macroperiod, and certain increase of crystallinity. Rather profound, ten times faster destruction of suture material in alkaline medium at pH 12 did not cause the variation of macroperiod and crystallinity. Even in the case of extensive destruction with mass losses approaching 90% and variation of crystalline structure of the polymer was not observed. These data confirm the theory described previously by the authors on the existence of two possible methods of polymer destruction in aggressive mediums passing through total volume and on the plastic surface only.