Biocompatible Elastomer with Adjustable Mechanical Properties and Degradation Rate as a Midline Segment of Bipartite Sling

Abstract

Surgeries for suspending the urethra with synthetic porous tapes (sling) use are effective for curing stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The shortening of the urethral canal and urinary retention are recurrent postoperative problems caused by the tension exerted by the sling on the urethra. This study evaluated the behavior of a biocompatible, bioresorbable, and biodegradable poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) elastomer applied as a middle connection of the bipartite sling, which, when degraded, relieves the tension on the organ. Bipartite slings (BS) were fabricated with PGS as a median portion to interconnect their parts. PGS elastomers were synthesized in the common microwave, cured at different curing times in a vacuum oven, and evaluated regarding adhesion strength and mechanical properties by tensile test after in vitro degradation. Bothprepolymer (pre-PGS) and PGS elastomers (E) were assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The analyses revealed a higher degree of esterification (DE) and crosslinking for samples prepared by curing for 72 h, as well as better performance of mechanical properties over 45 days of in vitro degradation incubation. PGS elastomer prepared at 48 to 72 h curing times has proven suitable as a median portion of the bipartite slings used in surgeries for suspending the urethra in the SUI treatment.