The possible use of coralline hydroxyapatite as a bone implant.

Hydroxyapatite developed from sea coral has been utilized as a bone implant. The primary application at this time is in maxillofacial surgery along with experimental use in orthopedic surgery. The acceptance of this implant in bone and by the body has been found to be excellent without signs of rejection or increase in the incidence of infection. Advantages of this material over autogenous and allogenic bone grafts will be discussed along with its potential application to podiatric surgery.