Application of Polylactic Acid in Clinical Medicine

Polylactic acid (PLA), a bio-based and biodegradable material, shows significant potential in environmental protection and clinical medicine. Derived from renewable resources, PLA's biodegradability reduces long-term environmental pollution by allowing it to decompose rapidly under specific conditions. This review explores PLA's applications in clinical medicine, emphasizing its mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and controlled degradation rates. The study covers PLA's extensive use in drug delivery systems, absorbable sutures, and tissue engineering scaffolds, highlighting its compatibility with human tissues and low immunogenicity. Research methods and designs, including in vitro and in vivo experiments, are discussed to evaluate PLA's efficacy and safety. The challenges of high production costs and specific degradation conditions are also addressed. Future research directions include developing new catalysts to improve synthesis efficiency and exploring renewable raw materials to reduce costs and environmental impact. As global awareness of sustainable development grows, the demand for PLA and other degradable plastics is expected to increase, expanding their applications in various fields. In conclusion, PLA offers substantial advantages in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating environmental pollution, while providing innovative solutions in the medical field. Technological advancements and increased production are anticipated to lower costs, making PLA more economically competitive and accelerating its application in both environmental protection and clinical medicine.