This study aims to compare two kinds of modified poly (lactic acid) (PLA) materials:PLA-chitosan (PLA-CTS) and PLA-poly (glycolic acid) (PLA-PGA). PLA-CTS and PLA-PGA scaffolds were prepared and observed under electron microscope. The scaffold porosity was calculated and the pH of the degradation solution was measured. Then rat olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) were cultivated, and mixed cultured respectively with two scaffolds as two groups. The proliferation, adhesion rate and growth condition of the OECs were observed and compared between the two groups. Results showed that both the prepared PLA-CTS and PLA-PGA scaffolds were three-dimensional porous structure and the porosity of PLA-CTS was 91%, while that of PLA-PGA was 87%. The pH of degradation solution decreased gradually, of which PLA-PGA fell faster than PLA-CTS. After added to the two scaffolds, most OECs could grow well, and there were no significant differences between the two groups on MTT test and nuclei number determined by fluorescent microscope. However, the cell adhesion rate of PLA-CTS group was significantly higher than that of PLA-PGA. It can be concluded that compared with PLA-PGA, PLA-CTS might be a better choice as OECs scaffold.