In vivo and in vitro degradation behavior of artificial materials used for sealing pulmonary air leak

Abstract

Artificial degradable polymer (PGA) and oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC), an absorbable hemostatic, are used in respiratory surgery. We investigated the in vivo and in vitro biodegradation behaviors of these materials. In the in vitro study, the pH of the buffer solutions in the PGA group tended to gradually become more acidic, while that of buffer solutions in the ORC group rapidly became acidic before stabilizing. In the rat air leak sealing model, adhesion with the chest wall was observed in all immunosuppressed rats (NDrat) in the PGA group and in half of NDrat rats in the ORC group. While residual fibers and inflammation were observed in the PGA group, the ORC group tended to exhibit mild adhesion. Prolonged inflammation and oozing caused by localized acidification associated with the degradation and absorption of PGA were thought to be responsible for the difference in adhesion between the materials.