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In order to study the effects of factors governing the bioabsorption rate of polylactides, implantation tests were carried out in rabbits using various samples (20 x 10 x 2 mm3) differing in their chemical composition, residual monomer content, and molecular orientation. Copolymer samples with a higher lactic acid content showed a lower rate of absorption, whereas those with a higher unreacted monomer content were absorbed faster and showed a more drastic decrease in molecular weight. In contrast, degradation of the purified polymers was slow; the purified poly-L-lactide showed no weight change and a 50% reduction in molecular weight after 6 months of implantation. Scanning electron microscopy of the samples containing monomers showed a microporous structure extending from the surface to the inner region a few days after implantation, whereas the purified poly-L-lactide did not exhibit a microporous structural change even after 10 months of implantation.

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