Elsevier

Biomaterials

Volume 18, Issue 1, January 1997, Pages 3-9
Biomaterials

Review
Absorbable polyglycolide devices in trauma and bone surgery

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-9612(96)00107-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Poly(glycolic acid) or polyglycolide (PGA) is a polymer of glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is produced during normal body metabolism and is known as hydroxyacetic acid. Strong implants can be manufactured from this polymer with a self-reinforcing (SR) technique and used in the treatment of fractures and osteotomies. Since 1984, SR-PGA implants have been used routinely in our hospital for internal fixation of bone fractures. These implants were studied extensively in experimental animals and proved biocompatible. In 1.7% of human cases, sinus formation may develop after the use of these implants, which does not disturb healing. Use of these absorbable implants is justified as it obviates the need for a second operation for implant removal and avoids the risks associated with biostable implants.

References (101)

  • P Ylinen et al.

    Preliminary study of porous hydroxyapatite particle containment with a curved biodegradable implant in the sheep mandible

    J Oral Maxillofac Surg

    (1991)
  • I McVicar et al.

    Self-reinforced polyglycolic acid membrane: a bioresorbable material for orbital floor repair. Initial clinical report

    Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg

    (1995)
  • CB Ripstein et al.

    Scar cancer of the lung

    J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg

    (1968)
  • J Calnan

    The use of inert plastic material in reconstructive surgery

    Br J Plast Surg

    (1963)
  • LC Anderson et al.

    An injectable sustained release fertility control system

    Contraception

    (1976)
  • SJ Holland et al.

    Polymers for biodegradable medical devices. 1. The potential of polyesters as controlled macromolecular release systems

    J Contr Rel

    (1986)
  • MC Meikle et al.

    Bone-derived growth factor release from poly(alpha-hydroxy acid) implants in vitro

    Biomaterials

    (1993)
  • RM Anderson et al.

    Perspectives on sutures

  • AR Katz et al.

    Evaluation of tensile and absorption properties of polyglycolic acid sutures

    Surg Gynecol Obstet

    (1970)
  • CA Bischoff et al.

    Condensation polymers of hydroxyacetic acid

    (1954)
  • NA Higgins

    Condensation polymers of hydroxyacetic acid

    (1954)
  • P Törmälä et al.

    Material for osteosynthesis devices

    (1988)
  • P Törmälä et al.

    Ultra-high-strength absorbable self-reinforced polyglycolide (SR-PGA) composite rods for internal fixation of bone fractures: in vitro and in vivo study

    J Biomed Mater Res

    (1991)
  • P Törmälä et al.

    Bone fracture surgical device

    (1987)
  • P Rokkanen et al.

    Absorbable implants in the fixation of fractures, osteotomies, arthrodeses and ligaments

    Acta Orthop Scand

    (1994)
  • RK Kulkarni et al.

    Polylactic acid for surgical implants

    Arch Surg

    (1966)
  • EE Schmitt et al.

    Polyglycolic acid prosthetic devices

    (1969)
  • M Vert et al.

    Stereoregular bioresorbable polyesters for orthopaedic surgery

    Makromol Chem Suppl

    (1981)
  • S Vainionpää

    Biodegradation of polyglycolic acid in bone tissue: an experimental study on rabbits

    Arch Orthop Trauma Surg

    (1986)
  • K Vihtonen et al.

    Fixation of experimental osteotomy of the distal femur with biodegradable thread in rabbits

    Clin Orthop

    (1987)
  • EJ Frazza et al.

    A new absorbable suture

  • P Törmälä et al.

    Surgical materials and devices

    (1990)
  • T Pohjonen et al.
  • RA Miller et al.

    Degradation rates of oral resorbable implants (polylactates and polyglycolates): rate modification with changes in PLA/PGA copolymer ratios

    J Biomed Mater Res

    (1977)
  • P Christel et al.

    Biodegradable composites for internal fixation

  • M Vert et al.

    Bioresorbable plastic materials for bone surgery

  • DF Williams

    Some observations on the role of cellular enzymes in the in-vivo degradation of polymers

  • JO Hollinger

    Preliminary report on the osteogenic potential of a biodegradable copolymer of polylactide (PLA) and polyglycolide (PGA)

    J Biomed Mater Res

    (1983)
  • JO Hollinger et al.

    Biodegradable bone repair materials, synthetic polymers and ceramics

    Clin Orthop

    (1986)
  • T Nakamura et al.

    Bioabsorption of polylactides with different molecular properties

    J Biomed Mater Res

    (1989)
  • CC Chu

    The in-vitro degradation of poly(glycolic acid) sutures — effect of pH

    J Biomed Mater Res

    (1981)
  • U Päivärinta et al.

    Intraosseous cellular response to biodegradable fracture fixation screws made of polyglycolide or polylactide

    Arch Orthop Trauma Surg

    (1993)
  • OM Böstman et al.

    The tissue-implant interface during degradation of absorbable polyglycolide fracture fixation screws in the rabbit femur

    Clin Orthop

    (1992)
  • SM Kumta et al.

    Absorbable intramedullary implants for hand fractures. Animal experiments and clinical trial

    J Bone Joint Surg

    (1992)
  • O Böstman et al.

    Polymeric debris from absorbable polyglycolide screws and pins. Intraosseous migration studied in rabbits

    Acta Orthop Scand

    (1992)
  • T Antikainen et al.

    Polyglycolic acid membrane interpositioning for the prevention of skull deformity following experimental craniosynostosis

    Pediatr Neurosurg

    (1994)
  • MM Ruuskanen et al.

    The role of polyglycolic acid rods in the regeneration of cartilage from perichondrium in rabbits

    Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg

    (1991)
  • MM Ruuskanen

    Shaped regeneration of rabbit ear perichondrium

    Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg

    (1991)
  • MM Ruuskanen et al.

    Generation of cartilage from auricular and rib free perichondrial grafts around a self-reinforced polyglycolic acid mould in rabbits

    Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg

    (1994)
  • MM Ruuskanen et al.

    Guided perichondrial proliferation with biodegradable, selfreinforced poly-glycolic acid implants

    Pediatr Surg Int

    (1994)
  • Cited by (151)

    • Biocomposites

      2023, Comprehensive Structural Integrity
    • Plastics in Biomedical Application

      2022, Encyclopedia of Materials: Plastics and Polymers
    • Biodegradable Polymer Blends and Composites for Biomedical Applications

      2021, Biodegradable Polymers, Blends and Composites
    • A simple approach for synthesizing polyglycolide coating on magnesium alloy

      2021, Materials Letters
      Citation Excerpt :

      Polyglycolide (PGA) is widely used in biomedical application because of its good biodegradability and biocompatibility [1].

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text