10 Facts about Lobotomy

Post On: February 25, 2017
By: Agustina

Facts about lobotomy explain about the neurosurgical procedure. The term is taken from Greek. The word lobos mean brain, while the word tome means cut or slice. This procedure is known as leucotomy or leucotomy.  It is performed by scraping or cutting the connection from and to the anterior part of frontal lobes of the brain called prefrontal cortex. In some Western countries, lobotomy is considered as a controversial and mainstream surgery. Check other facts about lobotomy in the below post:

Facts about Lobotomy 1: the controversy

Lobotomy was controversial because of the balance nature between the risk and benefits. A number of patients who had lobotomy experienced improvement by having other impairments.

Facts about Lobotomy

Facts about Lobotomy

Facts about Lobotomy 2: António Egas Moniz

António Egas Moniz was the Portuguese neurologist created the procedure of lobotomy. In 1949, he was awarded with Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

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Facts about Lobotomy 3: the increased number of lobotomy

In the beginning of 1940s and 1950s, the number of performed lobotomy was dramatically increased.



Facts about Lobotomy 4: the lobotomy procedure in United States

In United States, 20,000 lobotomy cases had been conducted by 1951.

Lobotomy Facts

Lobotomy Facts

Facts about Lobotomy 5: the abandoned procedure

Lobotomy has been abandoned since the mid-1950s after the introduction of antipsychotic medications. The anti-psychiatry movement also contributed to the reduced popularity of lobotomy.

Facts about Lobotomy 6: the mental disorder

The primary objective of having was to decrease the symptoms of mental disorder. However, the intellect and personality of the patient would be gone after having lobotomy.

Lobotomy

Lobotomy

Facts about Lobotomy 7: the study about the effects of lobotomy

A follow-up study about lobotomy was conducted on 300 patients by British psychiatrist Maurice Partridge.  The complexity of psychic life was reduced by having lobotomy.  The self-control, self-awareness, responsiveness and spontaneity were also decreased after the procedure.

Facts about Lobotomy 8: the consequences

The consequences among the patients were varied. Some decided to commit suicide.  Others died because of the procedure.  Others faced severe impairments. Only a few patients were able to do responsible work. The negative effect of lobotomy was seen on the ability of the patient to be independent and personality.

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Facts about Lobotomy 9: the mortality rate

In 1940s, the mortality rate of lobotomy was about 5%.

Facts about Lobotomy 10: the prominent cases

In 1941, the sister of President John F. Kennedy named Rosemary Kennedy had lobotomy. A day before her scheduled lobotomy, Janet Frame earned a literary award in 1951. She was a poet and author from New Zealand. However, the procedure was never conducted.

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