Résorbent

Résorbent refers to substances and devices that are designed to be broken down and absorbed by the body's tissues over time. The term is often used in French-language medical literature and in discussions of biomaterials to describe materials that provide temporary function without requiring surgical removal. In English, these materials are commonly described as resorbable or biodegradable.

Most résorbent biomaterials degrade through hydrolysis, enzymatic action, or cellular resorption. Common polymers include polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and their copolymer PLGA, as well as polycaprolactone (PCL). Bioceramics such as calcium phosphate cements and bioactive glasses can be partially resorbed and replaced by new tissue. Natural materials like collagen and certain chitosans may also be used. The choice of material is guided by the intended rate of resorption and the required mechanical properties.

Applications span surgical sutures, fixation devices, and membranes used in guided bone regeneration, as well as drug delivery systems and tissue-engineered scaffolds. In dentistry and orthopedics, resorbent sutures and implants eliminate the need for a second removal procedure, aligning degradation with healing timelines. However, mismatches between degradation rate and tissue repair can lead to weakening, inflammatory responses, or localized acidity from degradation products.

Regulatory oversight for résorbent biomaterials varies by jurisdiction but generally requires demonstration of biocompatibility, predictable degradation, and clinical safety. Ongoing research seeks to tailor resorption kinetics and mechanical performance to specific medical indications.