Effects of lactide monomer on the hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) 85L/15G

The hydrolytic degradation of oriented poly( L -lactide-co-glycolide) 85L/15G (PLGA 85/15) sample materials with various amounts of lactide monomer was monitored in vitro at 37 °C. The materials were manufactured from medical grade PLGA 85/15 by a two-step melt extrusion-die drawing process. Results showed that the hydrolytic degradation rate depended highly on the lactide monomer content, which in turn influenced the retention of mechanical properties, mass loss, crystallinity, and dimensional stability. Even small quantities of lactide monomer (0.05–0.20 wt%) affected especially the retention of mechanical properties, which started to decline rapidly upon the inherent viscosity reaching 0.6–0.8 dl/g due to hydrolytic degradation. Based on our hydrolytic degradation data, we constructed a simplified mathematical model of degradation-related strength retention and recommend it as a functional quality control tool for melt-processed biodegradable medical devices manufactured from poly( L -lactide-co-glycolide) 85L/15G.