Objective To investigate the establishment of focal cerebral ischemia model in rabbits with the improved suture method.Methods A total of 45 healthy and clean adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into either a sham operation group (n =5) or a model group (n =40) using random number table method before modeling,and the sex was not limited.The self-made head ends of 2-0 fishing lines dipped in paraffin were used as the sutures.The external carotid artery was cut and inserted into a intracranial artery through the internal carotid artery and blocked the origin of middle cerebral artery.The neurological function score was performed after 6 h.The neurological deficit scores ≥2 was successful modeling.The rabbits were killed by anesthesia.The brain slices were stained with 2％ 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride solution.The infarct foci were observed.The diameters of suture head and the depth of suture insertion were compared in the model rabbits with successful modeling,failure,and death in the model group.Results There were 40 rabbits in the model group,six of them died,including 4 died of subarachnoid hemorrhage within 4 h after operation,and 2 died from anesthetic accident.The mortality rate was 15.0％.Seven rabbits failed,mainly because of cerebral vasospasm and the insertion depth of suture was insufficient.Twenty-seven had successful modeling,and the success rate was 67.5％.All the rabbits in the sham operation group survived.The diameter of the suture head and insertion depth in the successful modeling rabbits were compared with the death and failure outcome in rabbits.The difference was statistically significant (diameter:0.52 ± 0.14 mm vs.0.45 ±0.40 mm and 0.58 ±0.17 mm;depth:5.49 ±0.17 cm vs.6.04 ± 0.11 cm and 4.26 ±0.30 cm;all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The improved suture method can successfully prepare the focal cerebral ischemia model of middle cerebral artery in rabbits.The method is simple.Its repeatability and practicability are better.