Post surgical pain management with poly(ortho esters)

Poly(ortho esters), POE, are synthetic bioerodible polymers that can be prepared as solid materials, or as viscous, injectable polymers. These materials have evolved through a number of families, and the latest member of this family, POE IV, is particularly well suited to drug delivery since latent acid is integrated into the polymer backbone, thereby, modulating surface erosion. POE IV predominantly undergoes surface erosion and is able to moderate drug release over periods from days to many months. One indication in which the POE IV polymer is currently being investigated is in sustained post-surgical pain management. The local anesthetic agent, mepivacaine, has been incorporated into a viscous, injectable POE IV and its potential to provide longer-acting anesthesia has been explored in non-clinical models. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.