Potentially useful materials for biodegradable ureteric stents.

OBJECTIVES

To develop and test materials that may be useful in the design and further development of biodegradable ureteric stents.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Specimens of two plastics were placed in artificial urine of different pH for 30 days to examine the degree of dissolution of the plastic in alkaline and the stability in acidic conditions.

RESULTS

The specimens remained stable in the artificial urine at pH < 7.0 for 30 days and dissolved completely at a pH > or = 7 within 48 h.

CONCLUSION

Plastics can be designed which may be useful in the further development of biodegradable ureteric stents. The rate of dissolution could be changed by influencing urinary pH.