Effect of rat superior cervical ganglionectomy on relieving vasospasm in the facial artery area

doi:10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.3.07

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Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3) : 290-295. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.3.07

Effect of rat superior cervical ganglionectomy on relieving vasospasm in the facial artery area

Cai Zili^1,2, Ren Zhenyu^1,2, Zhou Shujun³, Zhuang Yuehong³, Wu Jiwen³*

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of superior cervical ganglionectomy on relieving facial artery vasospasm and improving blood perfusion. Methods A total of 20 rats were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). The experimental group underwent right superior cervical ganglionectomy, and the resected specimens were harvested to immunofluorescent staining. The control group received sham surgery. For the vasospasm model: mechanical induction of facial artery vasospasm was performed on rats from two groups (n=20) immediately after surgery and at 1h post-surgery. Laser speckle imaging was used to measure facial artery blood flow and vessel diameter at both time points. At 1w post-surgery, rats in the experimental group underwent Horner's syndrome evaluation, facial artery blood flow and diameter measurements, which were compared with pre-spasm measurements taken immediately after surgery. Finally, facial artery specimens were harvested from both groups for immunofluorescence staining. Results (1) Immediately after surgery, before and after vasospasm, there were no statistical differences in ipsilateral facial artery blood flow and vessel diameter between the experimental and control groups (P>0.05). (2) At 1h post-surgery, before and after vasospasm, the experimental group showed significantly higher ipsilateral facial artery blood flow and vessel diameter compared to the control group (P<0.0001). (3) At 1week post-surgery, all rats in the experimental group developed ipsilateral Horner's syndrome. Ipsilateral facial artery blood flow and vessel diameter were both significantly higher than pre-spasm measurements taken immediately after surgery (P<0.0001). Immunofluorescence results indicated that the resected specimens were rich in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons. The density of TH-positive fibers in the facial artery region of the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusions Superior cervical ganglionectomy can effectively relieve facial artery vasospasm and improve blood perfusion.

Key words

Superior cervical ganglion / / / Superior cervical ganglionectomy / / / Cervical sympathectomy / / / Vasospasm

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Cai Zili, Ren Zhenyu, Zhou Shujun, Zhuang Yuehong, Wu Jiwen. Effect of rat superior cervical ganglionectomy on relieving vasospasm in the facial artery area[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2026, 44(3): 290-295 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2026.3.07

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