CONTROLLED MULTIFOCAL FRONTAL LEUCOTOMY FOR PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS

Abstract

A method employing 24 to 34 small, chronically indwelling, gold intracerebral electrodes for focal, reversible frontal leucotomy is described. Contraindications pertaining to infection, unwanted trauma, production of toxic lesions and personal reactions on the part of the patient are discussed and delimited. The advantages of the procedure are given as follows: (1) Since the locality of the electrodes with respect to white and grey matter can be determined, the risk of lesions to the cortex is reduced. (2) This type of focal leucotomy is clinically and functionally reversible and permanent lesions can be made by electrolytic coagulation. (3) It is possible to enlarge the lesions progressively over a relatively long period of time thus allowing for a minimum amount of destruction to relieve the patient''s symptoms.