ABSTRACT
There is a growing interest in the biomedical field in the use of biodegradable materials for temporary implants. The goal is to circumvent the need for a secondary surgery associated with the removal of nondegradable implants or the problems associated with the long-term body reaction to the materials used. Biodegradable materials, however, need to meet more stringent requirements than nondegradable materials. Key issues include the biocompatibility, the possibility of leaching toxic contaminants (residual monomers and stabilizers, among others), and the potential toxicity of degradation products and metabolic residues. Furthermore, the implants should ideally degrade at a rate that is compatible with the healing time of the tissue of interest.
