PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term tissue response and duration of degradation of self-reinforced poly-L-lactide (SR-PLLA) multilayer plates in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mandibular osteotomies in sheep were fixed with SR-PLLA multilayer plates. The animals were followed for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, after which histologic studies were performed. RESULTS: The foreign-body reaction was mainly mild, and the osteotomies were well united. After 5 years in vivo, the material was almost completely resorbed, but small particles of polymer could still be detected at the implantation site. SR-PLLA plates were also incubated in vitro for 5 years. The material degraded considerably faster in vivo than in vitro. Molecular weight, melting temperature, and crystallinity of the plates remained at a constant level after 2 years in vitro, indicating very slow degradation of the oligomeric (molecular weight [Mw], 3500 daltons), highly crystalline (heat of fusion, 70 J/g), PLLA residue solely as a result of hydrolysis. Although the plates became increasingly fragile as they degraded, they retained their macroscopic form until the end of the 5-year follow-up. Loss of mass of the plates was 52%+/-8% after 5 years of incubation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Although the long degradation period may seem to be a minor drawback to the use of such plates, it does not appear to affect the healing process.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term tissue response and duration of degradation of self-reinforced poly-L-lactide (SR-PLLA) multilayer plates in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mandibular osteotomies in sheep were fixed with SR-PLLA multilayer plates. The animals were followed for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, after which histologic studies were performed. RESULTS: The foreign-body reaction was mainly mild, and the osteotomies were well united. After 5 years in vivo, the material was almost completely resorbed, but small particles of polymer could still be detected at the implantation site. SR-PLLA plates were also incubated in vitro for 5 years. The material degraded considerably faster in vivo than in vitro. Molecular weight, melting temperature, and crystallinity of the plates remained at a constant level after 2 years in vitro, indicating very slow degradation of the oligomeric (molecular weight [Mw], 3500 daltons), highly crystalline (heat of fusion, 70 J/g), PLLA residue solely as a result of hydrolysis. Although the plates became increasingly fragile as they degraded, they retained their macroscopic form until the end of the 5-year follow-up. Loss of mass of the plates was 52%+/-8% after 5 years of incubation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Although the long degradation period may seem to be a minor drawback to the use of such plates, it does not appear to affect the healing process.
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Authors: A J Asikainen; J Noponen; K Mesimäki; O Laitinen; J Peltola; M Pelto; M Kellomäki; N Ashammakhi; C Lindqvist; R Suuronen Journal: J Mater Sci Mater Med Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 3.896
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Authors: Jens D Langhoff; Jan M Kuemmerle; Joerg Mayer; Urs Weber; Milica Berra; Jessika M Mueller; Sabine B Kaestner; Katalin Zlinszky; Joerg A Auer; Brigitte von Rechenberg Journal: Open Orthop J Date: 2009-06-11