[Resection of the sciatic nerve with preservation of leg function]

Four patients, three women aged 32, 65 and 77 years and one man aged 51 years, had a soft tissue tumour of the upper dorsal thigh or gluteal region. They were treated by resection of both the sciatic nerve and the tumour. This resulted in a good functional outcome with limited functional disturbances. In the case of the three women, metastases of their malignant schwannoma, sarcoma, or liposarcoma respectively were found after several months to years; 2 of them died from these. The man was treated on several occasions for local recurrences of the malignancy. Patients with soft tissue sarcomas involving the sciatic nerve are often treated by amputating the affected limb. Nerve resection is a good alternative for complete tumour resection whilst still preserving the limb.