Abstract
Summary: Copolymerization of lactide, ε‐caprolactone, and trimethylene carbonate is performed. The synthesis is focused on obtaining materials with adequate properties for application as a suture coating that could contain an antimicrobial agent like triclosan. An amorphous character, a low glass transition temperature, a moderate susceptibility to degradation, and a hydrophobic nature are the conditions required for the optimal behavior of this coating. These properties can be attained with a copolymer of composition 10:60:30. Triclosan is added to the surface of polyglycolide threads and its release is studied in different media with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The influence of the temperature, the diameter of the thread, the initial concentration of the antibacterial agent, and the applied procedure on the incorporation of triclosan is also evaluated. A total release of triclosan is attained after a few days of exposure to a Dulbecco's based medium, whereas equilibrium concentrations are reached when a Sörensen hydrophilic medium is used. Partition and diffusion coefficients are also estimated.
SEM of a braided polyglycolide thread coated with PLA/PCL/PTMC that incorporates triclosan (1%).
magnified imageSEM of a braided polyglycolide thread coated with PLA/PCL/PTMC that incorporates triclosan (1%).