Laparoscopic excision for intrapelvic schwannoma of the sciatic nerve: A case report

Schwannoma is a benign tumor of the nerve sheath originating from Schwann cells. The tumor rarely occurs in the sciatic nerve. The patient in the present case report was a 58-year-old woman presenting with pain in the right hip and leg, as well as numbness of the right lower limb. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid tumor of 2.9 cm in diameter in the right pelvic space. The mass was considered to be a neurogenic tumor originating from the right sciatic nerve. Total laparoscopic surgery was performed to safely separate the tumor from the surrounding tissues, with preservation of the right sciatic nerve. The pathological result suggested a schwannoma. The patient recovered well with a transient numbness in the right heel. The laparoscopic approach used for this intrapelvic schwannoma of the sciatic nerve was safe and feasible, with the advantages of a magnified surgical field and small skin incision. However, the specific surgical approach should be based on the detailed condition of each patient and the experience of the surgeon with regard to laparoscopic surgery on benign presacral tumors and rectal tumors.