Abstract
Objective: The aim of this work was to study the effect of chitosan in restoration of
bone defect (an experimental study).
Materials and methods: The study included 54 male guinea pigs. Nasal bone defect
was done. The experimental animals were divided into a control group (A), calcium
sulphate group (B) and chitosan coated calcium sulphate group (C). Three dimensional
computed tomography (3D, C.T) and histological examination were done at intervals of
1, 2 and 3 months for measuring the change in the size of the bone defect and
confirmation of bone formation respectively.
Results: The decrease in the size of the bone defect was significant in group (C) than
groups (A & B). Also histological results showed formation of woven bone after one
month in groups B & C and formation of lamellar bone in group C in the 2nd month
while the lamellar bone was formed in group B in the 3rd month.
Conclusion: Radiological and histological studies showed that the new bone
formation on defected nasal bone was more in group (C). These findings suggest that
chitosan is very effective in early bone formation.
Key words: Chitosan, guinea pigs, bone formation