Bioresorbable Polymers and Their Chemical Degradation

ABSTRACT In the field of biomedicine, bioresorbable polymers have shown significant applications, especially in medication delivery and implantation. Biomedical materials need to have favorable biomechanical properties that are suited to their intended functions, as well as nontoxicity and biocompatibility. They are remarkably biocompatible and can be safely taken into the body by a slow hydrolytic breakdown while being gradually replaced by natural tissue until the substance eventually disappears. As the materials break down, the chemical byproducts are either absorbed by the body or expelled from it as part of its metabolic processes. They are commonly used as implant materials that hydrolyze and decay naturally, eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove the implants or devices, which makes patients go through less expense, discomfort, and recovery time. Based on their origin, bioresorbable polymeric materials can be broadly classified into two groups: natural polymers and synthetic polymers. This review covers the study of bioresorbable polymers, including their classifications, biomedical applications, and chemical degradation processes. Several biological and chemical processes that the body uses to bioresorb materials and various factors influencing the process of biodegradation, along with the complete degradation overview of some bioresorbable materials, are fully explained in this paper.