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Reinforced poly(L-lactic acid) fibres as suture material
K H Lam1, A J Nijenhuis, H Bartels
1Department of Histology and Cell Biology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Journal of Applied Biomaterials : an Official Journal of the Society for Biomaterials
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Reinforced poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibers show potential as long-term degradable sutures. These PLLA sutures maintain strength and elicit a comparable inflammatory response to non-degradable sutures after prolonged implantation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Science
- Surgical Sutures
Background:
- Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) is a biodegradable polymer with potential applications in biomedical devices.
- The development of novel suture materials is crucial for improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery.
- Existing sutures have limitations, including varying degradation rates and inflammatory responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate reinforced poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibers produced via dry-spinning/hot-drawing for suture applications.
- To compare the tensile strength, degradation profile, and inflammatory response of PLLA sutures with commercially available sutures.
- To assess the handling and knot security characteristics of the developed PLLA sutures.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of reinforced PLLA fibers using a dry-spinning/hot-drawing process.
- Tensile strength testing of PLLA sutures and commercial sutures (PDS, Vicryl, silk, Ethilon) after in vitro degradation in phosphate-buffered saline at 37°C.
- In vivo implantation of PLLA sutures in the abdominal wall muscle of rats for 80 weeks to evaluate inflammatory response.
- Assessment of handling characteristics and knot security compared to commercial sutures.
Main Results:
- Initial tensile strength of PLLA sutures was lower than commercial sutures but increased relative to PDS and Vicryl after 12 weeks of degradation.
- Vicryl sutures fragmented and became unmeasurable after 12 weeks.
- PLLA fibers initially disintegrated into fibrils, causing an inflammatory response similar to degradable multifilament sutures.
- The inflammatory response to PLLA sutures decreased over time, becoming comparable to non-degradable Ethilon sutures after 80 weeks.
- The inflammatory response to Ethilon sutures increased over the 80-week period.
- Handling characteristics of PLLA sutures were superior to monofilament sutures (PDS, Ethilon) and comparable to multifilament sutures (Vicryl, silk).
Conclusions:
- Dry-spun/hot-drawn reinforced PLLA fibers demonstrate potential as a long-term degradable suture material.
- PLLA sutures offer a favorable balance of mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and biocompatibility.
- Further investigation into the knot security of PLLA sutures is warranted.