Sterilized Eggshell Membrane–Chitosan Dressing Enhanced Healing of Sutured Skin Incisions in Rabbits

Background: Postoperative wound healing is a critical component of successful veterinary surgical outcomes. Delayed incision healing may result in infection, excessive inflammation, tissue separation, prolonged discomfort, and poor scar quality. Natural biomaterials have gained attention in regenerative veterinary medicine because of their safety, low cost, and biological activity. Eggshell membrane is a collagen-rich natural matrix containing glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and bioactive peptides that support fibroblast migration and extracellular matrix formation, while chitosan possesses antimicrobial, hemostatic, and wound-moisture preserving properties that enhance tissue repair. Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the regenerative effect of sterilized eggshell membrane–chitosan dressing on healing of sutured skin incisions in rabbits compared with ordinary dressing and chitosan dressing alone. Methods: Twenty-four healthy adult rabbits were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 8). Group I received conventional sterile dressing after wound suturing, Group II received sterile chitosan dressing, and Group III received sterilized eggshell membrane–chitosan composite dressing applied over the sutured incision. Clinical wound assessment, wound gap measurement, bacterial load, tensile strength, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, and inflammatory-cell infiltration were evaluated during the healing period. Results: Marked regenerative differences were observed among groups. The wound healing score significantly increased from 5.63 ± 0.21 in the control group to 7.11 ± 0.19 in the chitosan group and 8.74 ± 0.16 in the eggshell membrane–chitosan group (P < 0.001). Wound gap width significantly decreased from 2.41 ± 0.13 mm in controls to 1.42 ± 0.11 mm and 0.61 ± 0.06 mm, respectively (P < 0.001). Tensile strength significantly improved from 8.12 ± 0.28 N in controls to 11.94 ± 0.35 N and 15.32 ± 0.42 N (P < 0.001). Bacterial load declined from 4.28 ± 0.12 log10 CFU/g to 3.31 ± 0.10 and 2.34 ± 0.08 log10 CFU/g (P < 0.001). Collagen deposition significantly increased from 39.6 ± 1.5% in controls to 55.8 ± 1.8% and 72.3 ± 1.6% (P < 0.001), while inflammatory-cell infiltration was markedly reduced in treated wounds (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Sterilized eggshell membrane–chitosan dressing significantly accelerated healing of sutured skin incisions in rabbits. The composite dressing produced superior antibacterial protection, stronger collagen remodeling, and faster tissue regeneration compared with conventional dressing and chitosan alone, suggesting a simple and low-cost biomaterial strategy for veterinary surgical wound management.