title: Attempts to map the structure and degradation characteristics of aliphatic polyesters derived from lactic and glycolic acids.
abstract: During the past 5 years, important advances have been accomplished in the understanding of the fate of aliphatic polyesters derived from lactic acid (LA) and glycolic acid (GA) in aqueous media. Hydrolysis of solid LA/GA polymers is now regarded as dependent upon a diffusion-reaction mechanism. Faster central degradation, degradation-induced composition, and morphology changes are three of the most important findings which appeared to be composition-dependent as deduced from the behavior of different LA/GA polymers. An attempt is made to generalize these findings to the whole family and to elaborate a map which could be used to predict degradation characteristics of LA/GA polymers from their initial composition and morphology.
authors.affiliation: CRBA-URA CNRS 1465, University Montpellier I, Faculty of Pharmacy, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vert
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garreau
mesh_terms: D006868:Hydrolysis; D007773:Lactates / Q000737:chemistry*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008422:Materials Testing; D011091:Polyesters; D011098:Polyglactin 910 / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; D011098:Polyglactin 910; C033616:poly(lactide)