The degradation mechanism of polylactic acid (PLA) and the factors influencing the degradability were summarized.The research progresses of PLA in medical research were discussed.

• 摘要综述了可降解塑料聚乳酸(PLA)的降解机理及影响其降解能力的各种因素，为进一步研究PLA可生物降解性，达到速度可控提供了良好的实验数据分析。