Biomineralization of five polymers in human bile

Insertion of polymeric biliary endoprostheses is widely used as a method of palliation of strictures of the biliary tree. Study of biomineralization process of the polymers in bile is important for clogging of the stent in a few months and is still an existing problem. Bile sludge accumulation on five types of polymers in vitro in 1 and 3 weeks was primarily investigated in this paper. The polymers PE, PTFE, PLLA, PHBV, PTSG (poly(butylene terephthalate)-co-poly(butylenes succinate)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) were used in experiment. All five types of polymers induce biliary sludge that may cause the clog. However, PLLA, a biodegradable polymer, may resist sludge accumulation by polymer pieces peeled from surface during biodegradation process in bile.