Posted by med_empowered on May 20, 2005, at 20:53:09
In reply to Re: **LOBOTOMY**, posted by SadDoggie on May 20, 2005, at 17:40:33
hi! By "modern day procedures," I meant just about any of the newer psychosurgical techniques, from the cingulotomy (I think that's what its called...for OCD, maybe?) to Deep Brain Stimulation (which seems harmless to me...I don't think they actually damage or remove anything at all) to the old school, remove all the frontal lobes-style procedure. I don't know how the new operations are done today, but way back when it was standard practice to have the patient conscious during the procedure. They might be given a mild sedative (barbiturate, later benzo, etc.) and were sometimes given a few electric shocks before the operation. In the US, there were 2 major techniques: the "full" lobotomy and the transorbital. The "full" lobotomy came around first, in the late 1930s. Basically, the patient's head was shaved, they were given some electrick shocks, holes were drilled in the sides and top of the heads, and a surgical instrument (several were used) was inserted through the whole to sever the frontal lobes. Variations on this involved using chemicals instead of a surgical instrument--boiling water, strong acids, and, of all things novocaine. (I did a paper on stuff like this recently). The transorbital technique was developed in the late 1940s and is what made lobotomy cheap and kind of popular; basically, a cutting instrument was placed just below the transorbital bone...with the push of a hammer, the doctor broke the transorbital bone and entered the brain. Then the instrument was moved around a bit, and this was repeated on the other side of the head. **Gross** I know...I just find this whole chapter of psychiatry bizarre and dark. I think we have to remember it always so nothing like this happens again. Anyway, the last full-fledged, old-style lobotomy performed in the US that I could discover was done in 1977 or 1978 at a state hospital in minnesotta. Thanks again for all your input!
poster:med_empowered
thread:499986
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050516/msgs/500568.html