RESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the biomechanic properties of sciatic nerve at the suture site in rats following repairing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The right sciatic nerves of 40 white Sprague-Dawley 300-350 gm rats were exposed, cut and then repaired with 10-0 nylon sutures, laced in the epineurium. 0, 1, 3, 6 weeks after operation, the tensile strength of the sciatic nerves were measured, the data analyzed statistically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The load-elongation curves for both the normal unoperated and operated nerves had the similar shape. The tensile strength of the 0 week was significant difference to 1, 3 and 6 weeks (P < 0.01). No significant difference was found among 1, 3 and 6 weeks.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The tensile strength of the injured nerves are recovered in the first week and resistant in 6 weeks after repairing.</p>