Figure 1.

Schematic of the resected sciatic nerve with placement of the nerve guide.

A 10 mm section of sciatic nerve was removed leaving at least a 5 mm proximal and distal nerve stump. A 14 mm long polyethylene nerve guide was sutured in place. The suture was placed 2 mm from the end of the guide and each stump was therefore drawn entirely inside the guide, resulting in the proximal and distal stumps positioned 10 mm apart.