Psychosurgery is usually performed in a hospital setting and involves the following steps:
1. The patient is given general anesthesia.
2. The surgeon makes an incision in the scalp.
3. The surgeon uses various techniques, such as stereotaxy, to locate the target brain tissue.
4. The surgeon removes or destroys the target brain tissue.
5. The surgeon closes the incision.
The type of psychosurgery performed depends on the specific psychiatric condition being treated. The following are some of the most common types of psychosurgery:
* Lobotomy: This procedure involves cutting the connections between the frontal lobes of the brain and the rest of the brain. It was once used to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions, but it is rarely used today due to its serious side effects.
* Cingulectomy: This procedure involves cutting the connections between the cingulate gyrus and the rest of the brain. It is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression.
* Subcaudate tractotomy: This procedure involves cutting the connections between the subthalamic nucleus and the putamen. It is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Psychosurgery can be an effective treatment for psychiatric conditions that have not responded to other treatments. However, it is a serious procedure with potential risks, including:
* Hemorrhage (bleeding): This can occur during or after surgery and can be life-threatening.
* Infection: This can occur during or after surgery and can lead to serious medical problems.
* Seizures: These can occur after surgery and can be a sign of brain damage.
* Personality changes: These can occur after surgery and can include apathy, lack of motivation, and reduced social skills.
* Cognitive impairment: This can occur after surgery and can include memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and impaired judgment.
Psychosurgery should be considered only after all other treatment options have been exhausted and the risks and benefits of the procedure have been carefully weighed.