Long-term evaluation of degradation and foreign-body reaction of subcutaneously implanted poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degradation and foreign-body reaction of poly(DL-lactide-epsilon-caprolactone) (PLA(85)CL(50)) bars. This specific biomaterial is used for the construction of nerve guides, which can be used in the reconstruction of short nerve gaps. Subcutaneously implanted PLA(85)CL(50) bars were harvested after implantation periods ranging from 3 to 12 months and evaluated for the rate of degradation and the degree of foreign-body reaction. It was observed that this copolymer degraded completely within 12 months and that no lactide or epsilon-caprolactone crystals were formed. Furthermore, we conclude that the foreign-body reaction of PLA(85)CL(50) is very mild. These properties make the amorphous copolymer of DL-lactide and epsilon-caprolactone (50:50) suitable for the construction of nerve guides. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.