Objective To investigate the relationship between microvessel density(MVD) and lymph node metastasis and prognosis in gallbladder carcinoma. MethodsThe MVD in 42 gallbladder carcinoma by immunohistochemical SP method using a polyclonal antibody to FⅧ and the relationship between MVD and histologic types, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and prognosis was studied. Results The value of MVD was correlated with the depth of invasion (P＜0.05), lymph node metastasis (P＜0.01) and distant metastasis (P＜0.05). It was not significantly related to the pathologic pattern and tumor differentiation. The significantly negtive correlation was found between MVD and 5-year survival in patients with gallbladder carcinoma. Conclusion MVD is bly related to the metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma. It may serve as a prognotic factor.