• O Ozdemir, M H Ozsoy, C Kurt, E Coskunol, and I Calli.
• Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, and First Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. oguz@med.ege.edu.tr
• J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2005 Dec 1; 13 (3): 267-72.

PurposeTo review the long-term results of 14 cases of histopathologically confirmed schwannoma of the hand and wrist treated with intracapsular tumour removal.MethodsAll operations were performed under loupe magnification and microsurgical dissection, and the tumour was removed after capsular (including endoneurium) incision. Patients were assessed for any residual symptoms. Sensory testing of light touch and pain was carried out.ResultsThe mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 38.4 years (range, 11-78 years), and the mean follow-up period was 12.6 years (range, 3-36 years). Ten of the tumours were located in the median nerve distribution, whereas 4 in the ulnar nerve distribution. Four tumours were at the wrist level, 3 at the palm level, and 7 at the digital level (3 in the index finger). Only 5 patients were correctly diagnosed preoperatively. Neurological loss was not recovered in one patient in whom the tumour was resected with the digital nerve. No recurrence or muscle atrophy was noted at the latest follow-up.ConclusionMeticulous dissection with magnification can achieve complete tumour removal without neurological loss or recurrence. Intracapsular tumour removal provides good results with a low complication rate.

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