Resorption Kinetics of Eggshell: An In Vivo Study

Abstract

Eggshell has been recently introduced as a bone substitute candidate in reconstructive surgery. The aim of this experimental study study was to determine its degradation rate in both a skeletal and extraskeletal site. In experiment 1, eggshell particles with four different sizes (50, 75, 150, and 300 microns in diameter) were implanted in subcutaneous pouches of 30 rats. In experiment 2, a fragment of ostrich eggshell was implanted on the nasal dorsum of 10 rats. Animals were sacrificed at 1 (N = 10), 2 (N = 10), and 4 months (N = 10) during the first stage of the study, and at 1 year during the second stage of the study. The results were assessed by X-ray examination and routine histological techniques. In experiment 1, all animals healed uneventfully. At 1 month, only 50-micron particles had undergone resorption. At 2 months, both 50- and 75-micron particles had undergone resorption. At 4 months, the 150- and 300-micron particles were resorbed incompletely. Histologically, the eggshell elicited a mild inflammatory reaction at 1 month that decreased progressively at further stages. In experiment 2, all animals except one healed uneventfully. Radiologically, the eggshell implant displayed a noticeable stability. Histologically, seven of nine implants were encapsulated, but two of them were surrounded by a bony rim. In conclusion, eggshell is a resorbable implant, but the degradation kinetic is size dependent. Large ostrich grafts are also suitable as onlay graft, but a complementary osteosynthesis is recommended to enhance osteointegration.

Synthesis and Characterization of Collagen Scaffolds Reinforced by Eggshell Derived Hydroxyapatite for Tissue Engineering

“…However, it is hard to form a homogeneous 15 Natural materials such as corals, bovine bone, fish bone, eggshells etc have been selected as a source for the synthesis of HA due to their advantage of biological origin. 16 17 Eggshells are attractive as they can be inexpensively procured and contain Sr and F ions, which make them a candidate for craniofacial surgery 18 and osteoporotic treatment. 19 In the present study, direct nucleation of HA on collagen fibers has been achieved using CaO derived from hen eggshells as Ca source and phosphoric acid for phosphate source.…”

Synthesis of three-dimensional calcium carbonate nanofibrous structure from eggshell using femtosecond laser ablation

“…Avian eggshell, with a mineral composition similar to corals, has been introduced as a potential bone substitute in maxillodacial and craniofacial surgery as they could easily be acquired and contain ions of Sr and F [4,15] and [16]. One of the crucial characteristics to be considered when using a bone substitute graft is its degradation rate due to the fact that it may have effects on the long-term results.…”

“…One of the crucial characteristics to be considered when using a bone substitute graft is its degradation rate due to the fact that it may have effects on the long-term results. The graft should undergo only minimal resorption if it is used as an onlay graft whereas a resorbable one is desirable when a bone substitute is used as interpositional graft or in a peri-implant defect [15]. Eggshell, which can be manufactured under powdered or block form, can be used for both indications.…”

Preparation and characterization of a novel bone graft composite containing bone ash and egg shell powder

“…It is reported that 1,90,000 tonnes of egg shell is wasted in India and might be used as a calcium source in human nutrition (Schaafsma et al 2000). The biological behaviour of this natural material has * Author for correspondence (sastrytp@hotmail.com) also shown that it could be used as a bone substitute in the field of maxillofacial surgery (Dupoirieux et al 1995(Dupoirieux et al , 2000(Dupoirieux et al , 2001Dupoirieux 1999). Egg shell particles ranging from 400-600 μm were bioassayed in the intramuscular pouches of rodents and their osteoinductive nature studied.…”