EVALUATION OF LEUCOTOMY RESULTS

Abstract

Investigations of discharged cases after successful leucotomy resulted in the following findings: 1. The likelihood of a patient being discharged after leucotomy is greater if he is less than middle-aged; it does not depend on the preoperative duration of illness if the personality is preserved. 2. Discharge is also significantly higher when leucotomy is performed as a low vertical incision. 3. It is demonstrated that personality modifications can be better achieved by the orbital than by the other types of operative incisions. These personality changes are attributable to structural damages of the lower quadrants of the frontal lobes. 4. These postoperative personality changes are superimposed on the pre-existing symptomatology, and it was found that patients showing introversion, lack of initiative, shallowness of affects, etc., are more likely to respond favourably to the low vertical cut. 5. The reintegration between the pre- and postoperative symptomatology is a function of the total personality. Deteriorated patients are incapable of readjustment, and only cases with well-preserved personalities should be operated upon.