Abstract:

Fibres prepared on an experimental scale from biodegradable copolyester of glycolide and lactide (PLGA) and from PLGA with the addition of 9% of atactic poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate (PLGA+a-PHB) were characterised to assess their possible use in the preparation of surgery sutures. Commercial spinfinish Estesol PF 790 (Bozzetto Group, Italy) was applied on the fibres in the spinning step. A method was prepared for an organic extraction of the spinfinish from the PLGA fibres, and the process efficacy was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by estimating chemical purity. With spinfinish removed, the fibres were subjected to an extraction process which simulated the utilisation of the products in an aqueous medium. The aqueous extracts were analysed to estimate contamination contents. Also estimated was the time in which the fibres degrade when subjected to surplus extraction in an aqueous medium.