Polydioxanone
Pronunciation: pol-ee-dy-OX-an-ohn
A biodegradable synthetic polymer used to manufacture absorbable sutures and thread-lift implants in aesthetic dermatology.
Full Definition
Polydioxanone is a colourless, semi-crystalline polyether-ester polymer that degrades by hydrolysis over a period of approximately six months in biological tissue. In aesthetic medicine, it is the base material for PDO threads used in minimally invasive lifting procedures, as well as for the smooth mono-threads employed in skin-collagen stimulation protocols. Editors should recognise that 'polydioxanone' is the full chemical name of the compound abbreviated as PDO, and the two forms should not appear interchangeably within the same document without definition. The term is frequently misspelled as 'polydioxonone' or 'polydioxanone,' and editors must verify the correct spelling against a pharmacopoeial reference. It should be distinguished from other absorbable polymer materials such as polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid.
Usage
Usage note: Spell out in full at first use followed by the abbreviation (PDO) in parentheses; thereafter PDO is acceptable. Note that PDO already exists in the database as a standalone entry.
In Context
- "The device description confirmed that the threads were manufactured from medical-grade polydioxanone with a guaranteed absorption period of 180 days." — Medical device regulatory filing
- "Polydioxanone sutures were preferred over polyglycolic acid sutures in this indication due to their slower absorption profile." — Clinical comparison study