A study was performed to determine whether vein grafts might serve as a conduit for nerve regeneration. A 1 cm segment of sciatic nerve was removed bilaterally in 12 Sprague-Dawley rats. On 1 side the gap was not repaired, and on the other side a segment of femoral vein was used to bridle the nerve gap. Nerve conduction studies and necropsies were performed at intervals. Reconstitution of nerve trunk continuity and healing of plantar ulcers occurred only in the vein-grafted side. Histologic examination revealed orderly growth of nerve fibers within the lumen of the vein grafts as early as 1 mo. after repair. Most regenerating nerve fibers passed through the proximal junction in an orderly pattern and reached the distal stumps within 2 mo. after repair. Results of nerve conduction study at 4 mo. after operation demonstrated restoration of conduction through the vein-grafted sciatic nerves with muscle reinnervation. Nearly normal muscle fibers in the gastrocnemius on the repaired side were confirmed at necropsy. Autogenous vein grafts can serve as a conduit for nerve regeneration in rodents.