BIODEGRADABLE TWO-LAYERED MATRIX FOR PREVENTING POST-SURGICAL ADHESIONS, IN PARTICULAR IN HERNIA REPAIR

摘要

The invention relates to a biodegradable matrix 14 for preventing post-surgical adhesions, in particular after soft tissue repair in abdominal surgery, e.g. in hernia repair within the body of a mammal. The matrix includes a top layer 16 made of a first biocompatible polymer material and a bottom layer 18 made of a second biocompatible polymer material. The first polymer material comprises poly(lactic acid) as a main component and the second polymer material comprises as a main component at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid-lactic acid) and mixtures thereof, wherein the PLA content of the first polymer material is higher than in the second polymer material, and wherein both layers are formed as porous scaffolds with the top layer16 being hydrophilic, i.e. having a water contact angle of less than 75°, and the bottom layer 18 being hydrophobic, i.e. having a water contact angle of more than 90°.