Abstract:

Abstract:Objective To discuss the feasibility of the fabrication of co-polymer poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) 80∶20 tubular urethral scaffold by electrospinning and evaluate its mechanical properties. Methods PLGA(80∶20) was dissolved in chloroform to form solutions with concentrations varying from 3% to 6%.The electrospinning technique was used to fabricate the tubular urethral scaffolds.The morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscope. Fiber diameters,aperture,porosity and mechanical properties were compared between various concentrations of PLGA. Results PLGA urethral stents with concentrations of 3%,4% and 5%  were successfully fabricated,and the concentration of 6% failed for high concentration. The scaffold was 4 cm long and with an inner diameter of 3.0 mm and an outside diameter of 4.0 mm. The fiber diameter was thicken with the increasing of the concentrations,the difference was significant between various groups(P<0.05). The average pore sizes of three concentrations of PLGA were (7±4),(13±7) and (32±13) μm,respectively,there were significant differences between various groups(P<0.05). The porosity of 3% PLGA was close to 79%,and 5% PLGA was up to 90%,there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.05). The mean stress at break of the three concentrations of PLGA was (2.37±0.15),(1.97±0.0) and (1.85±0.11)Mpa,respectively,the mean stress at break of 3% PLGA was significantly higher than those of the concentrations of 4% and 5%(P<0.05),while no difference was observed between 4% PLGA and 5% PLGA (P> 0.05). Conclusion The properties of 5% PLGA (80∶20) urethral scaffold which fabricated by electrospinning technique can fully satisfied the demand for structure and mechanical properties of a degradable urethral scaffold.

Key words: electrospinning;co-polymer poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid);urethral stent;nanostructure