In-vitro and in-vivo behaviors of poly(glycolide-caprolactone) copolymer for bioabsorbable suture materials

A novel bioabsorbable suture material, poly(glycolide-caprolactone) (PGLCL) monofilament, was prepared by spinning of the PGLCL copolymer. The physical properties, strength retention, biocompatibility, and organism resolvability of the PGLCL monofilament were investigated. The results showed that the knot pull strength of the monofilament was higher than that stated in European Pharmacopoeia. The in vivo retention strength following implantation was 64%, 23%, 7%, and 0% after one, two, three, and four weeks, respectively. Mortality, clinical signs, validation, and sterility tests indicated that all items had passed. Organism resolvability tests showed that the PGLCL monofilament, as a suture, was absorbed within 91 days.