ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of the amimal model with unilateral maxillofacial sympathetic denervation by ablation of superior cervical ganglion (SCGx) in rats.MethodsSympathetic denervation model was established by modified unilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy in SpragueDawley rat.Immunohistochemistry was used PGP9.5, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) markers, and the typical symptom of blepharoptosis in the side of sympathetic denervation was observed to determine whether the models were successfully established.ResultsTissue resected during ganglionectomy was strongly positive for PGP9.5, NPY and TH, which demonstrated that the tissue resected was superior cervical ganglion.Rats exerted blepharoptosis in the SCGablation side, while the function of the shamoperation side was normal.ConclusionSympathetic denervation model can be successfully established by SCGx.