In vitro and in vivo degradation behaviors of synthetic absorbable bicomponent monofilament suture prepared with poly(p-dioxanone) and its copolymer

A synthetic absorbable bicomponent monofilament suture (MonoFlex), composed of poly(p-dioxanone) and its copolymer, was prepared by a conjugate spinning method, and its degradation behavior was investigated in vitro and in vivo. MonoFlex degraded by hydrolysis, and retained approximately 55% of its original strength after four weeks of incubation in PBS at 37 °C. About 70% of the original strength was maintained after four weeks of implantation in rats, and the suture material was completely absorbed after 180-210 days post-implantation in rats. No remarkable tissue reactions were observed during degradation, and foreign body reactions were similar to those of commercially available suture materials composed of poly(p-dioxanone). This study to monitor the degradation behavior of monofilament sutures in vitro as well as in vivo may be useful in the development of novel suture materials for extended wound support.