title: Fabrication and Characterization of PLA-PGA Orthopedic Implants.
abstract: Fabrication methods and property characterization of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and their copolymers are reviewed. Both of these aliphatic polyesters belong to the a-hydroxy group and biodegrade in a physiological environment to monomeric acids, which are readily processed and excreted from the body. The physical and mechanical characteristics discussed include molecular weight, crystallinity, stress-strain behavior, permeability, and melting/glass transition temperatures. The most common methods of fabricating PLA-PGA materials into medical devices are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78284-7774.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Niederauer
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Athanasiou