Degradation and drug-release studies of a poly(glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) copolymer (Maxon)

Poly(glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) is available commercially as a monofilament suture known as Maxon. The literature has shown that Maxon sutures possess a slow degradation rate of about 7 months and exhibit relatively high mechanical strength in comparison with other absorbable sutures. However, very few articles are available on the degradation of unoriented Maxon. This study was designed to explore the chemical and physical aspects of the degradation of unoriented Maxon and its potential as a drug-release device. Several analytical techniques were used, including mass measurements, simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering and wide-angle X-rayscattering, and thermoporometry. Magnetic resonance imaging and drug-release measurements were carried out with UV spectroscopy. The results suggest that unoriented suture-based Maxon undergoes multiple stages of hydrolytic degradation, which involve hydration, and active and postactive periods. The drug-release mechanism is controlled by diffusion in the early degradation stages and polymer erosion in the later stages of release. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.