ABSTRACT
To study the role of vein tubulation in the facial nerve regeneration. Methods:Twelve male adult SD rats were divided randomly into vein tubulation group,nerve graft group and normalcontrol group- The facial nerve trunks were cut and grafted' Three months p0stoperation, the distributionand variation of the fascicles were observed under light microscope. Fascicular area,axon number and axondensity were gauged and caculated. Results:Within the vein chamber, the regenerating nerve consisted ofmany fascicles. In the nerve graft, there was a major fascicle surrounded by many small fascicles. Thenormal facial nerve trunk had only one fascicle. Among 3 groups, the fascicular area and axon number ofthe nerve graft were largest, but the axon density had no significant difference. Conclusion: The micr0en-vironment in vein chamber may be beneficial to growth of regenerating axons.