Abstract:Objective To explore the feasibility of repairing peripheral nerve defects by using inverted venous catheter combined with translation of nerve stump. Methods Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into three groups according to the surgical method. No procedures was performed in group A, the broken end of nerve defect was connected with the inverted venous catheter in group B, and the peripheral nerve defect was repaired with the inverted venous catheter combined with translation of nerve stump in group C. The wound recovery and limb movement of animals were observed and recorded among three groups after operation. Electrophysiological examinations and histopathological observations were performed at 3-, 5-, 7-　and 13- week after operation. Results The recovery of limb activity in group C was faster than those in groups A and B. There were no significant differences in nerve conduction velocity（NCV） and amplitude of compound muscle action potential（CMAP） amplitude at 3 weeks after repairing sciatic nerve defect in the left lower limb of rats among three groups（P＞0.05）. From 5 weeks after operation, NCV and amplitude of CMAP in group C were significantly better than those in group A and B（P＜0.05）.The number of myeliuated nerve fibers, myelin sheath thickness and axon diameter at M1 and M2 in group C were superior to those in group A and B at 7 and 13 weeks after operation（P＜0.05）. Conclusion In repairing large segmental defects of peripheral nerves, the effect of inverted venous catheter combined with translation of nerve stump is better than that of simple inverted vein and and can be used as a choice for nerve injury repair.