Surgical excision of peripheral nerve schwannomas: analysis of 11 patients

Objective: Benign schwannomas are the most common tumour of the peripheral nerves. Symptomatic schwannomas are treated by surgical excision, but new neurological deficits may develop. We performed a retrospective review of cases of schwannomas in the extremities and reviewed the relevant literature. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the demographic characteristics of 11 patients with schwannomas treated at our institution. We also reviewed the clinical characteristics and postoperative results of these cases, determined the possible risk factors influencing the development of complications and compared the risk factors with those reported in the literature. Results: There were five males and six females with a mean age of 37.6 (range: 17–62) years. The mean postoperative follow-up was 54.6 (range: 26–88) months. Three tumours were located in the forearm and the rest were localized in the lower extremity. No recurrences were observed during the follow-up period. New motor and sensory deficits were observed in only one patient. Conclusion: Schwannomas in the extremities can be excised with acceptable risk of neurological deficits. Meticulous dissection is required during surgery.