TEMPORAL LOBOTOMY

Abstract

The author presents a theoretical discussion of the psycho-physiologic mechanism of prefrontal lobotomy and of the possible importance of the temporal lobes for emotional integration. He describes a new psychosurgical operation or temporal lobotomy by which a bilateral and deep section of the temporal lobe is produced in front of the tip of the temporal horn of the ventricle. The physiologic aim of this operation is to cut the uncus, the beginning of the hippocampus, uncinate fasciculus, and other associated inter-cortical pathways. The operation was tried on 2 patients, one with predominant auditory hallucinations and strong associated emotional reactions, the other, a deteriorated schizophrenic. In the first case, the symptoms were not relieved but a secondary prefrontal lobotomy was more successful. In the second case, the temporal lobotomy was performed after an unsuccessful prefrontal operation and some lessening of agitation was obtained.