Poly(L-lactide): a long-term degradation study in vivo. Part III. Analytical characterization.

Three poly(L-lactides) with different molecular weights were synthesized as solid blocks from the melt. Two batches were ground and small specimens were produced by injection moulding. The third block was processed by machining, yielding crystalline parts. All were implanted as small rods into the dorsal muscle of rats. The implants were recovered, weight loss was determined, and the samples analysed. The samples degraded very fast, reaching the same molecular weight level after 20 wk, then degraded simultaneously. Analysis showed differences depending on the solid state of the polymer. The differences in the degradation behaviour of the amorphous and crystalline samples can be explained by assuming a simple hydrolysis as the main degradation mechanism, affecting the whole polymer, if in an amorphous state, but only the amorphous domains in a crystalline polymer.