Synthetic biodegradable polymers, such as polyesters, polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, polycarbo- nates, polyphosphoesters, polyphosphazenes, polyesteramides, polyalkylenoxalates, polyalkylcya - noacrylates, etc., are represented as materials which are being tested for use, or which have been already used in surgery, orthopaedics, and pharmacy. A particular attention is devoted to their use in the preparation of systems with prolonged release or with targeted biodistribution of active ingredients.

        Key words: biodegradable polymers – prolonged release – targeted biodistribution