Hydrogels for biomedical purposes, made from synthetic polymers as starting materials and free of co-adjuvant molecules, have been produced almost exclusively by high-energy radiative processes. On the other hand, UV photocrosslinking of such materials has been used in conjunction of monomers and/or photoinitiators. This work was addressed to the analysis of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) submitted to direct photocrosslinking in aqueous solution, using low pressure Hg lamp (lambda(cm) = 254 nm). The process efficiency was evaluated, and the properties of the hydrogel formed were determined. The product thus formed has similar micro- and macroscopic properties, as compared to hydrogels produced by high-energy radiation and presents no cytotoxicity. These results demonstrated the viability of using this method as a versatile alternative to hydrogel production, broadening the possibility of its production where high-energy radiation facilities are not available. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd.