From 1986 to 1991, eight patients with benign schwannomas (neurilemomas) of peripheral nerves underwent tumor resection. In six of eight cases, microsurgical dissection revealed one or several nerve fascicles "disappearing" in the center of the schwannoma. Therefore, these fascicles had to be removed along with the tumor. This observation contradicts the current opinion that enucleation of benign schwannomas is usually straightforward and possible without fascicular damage. Interestingly, the resection of fascicles did not create additional neurological deficits. For functional reasons, partial nerve grafts bridging the resulting fascicular defects were considered appropriate in two cases. Tumors of peripheral nerves should be treated by surgeons familiar with microsurgical operative techniques.