Bioabsorbable polymer science for the practicing surgeon

The structure and function relationships of polymers have long been the purview of engineers and polymer chemists. As bioabsorbable polymer implants continue to make inroads in the medical implant armamentarium, surgeons, long familiar with the properties and handling characterisitcs of metal implants, may find it advantageous to become aware of some of the unique characteristics of these types of materials so that an informed decision can be made regarding their usage. In this article, we present, in relatively nontechnical terms, the salient features of polymers in general and absorbable polymers in particular.