Outcome after the psychosurgical operation of stereotactic subcaudate tractotomy, 1979-1991

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1995 Spring;7(2):230-4. doi: 10.1176/jnp.7.2.230.

Abstract

The outcome of all psychosurgical operations (stereotactic subcaudate tractotomies) performed at the Geoffrey Knight National Unit for Affective Disorders in London since 1979 is reviewed. Of patients who had suffered severe mood or obsessive-compulsive disorders before surgery, 84 of 249 (34%) were well 1 year after. The effects of gender, psychiatric diagnosis, and age on outcome are assessed. The findings are compared with a 1975 outcome study, and explanations for apparent differences are proposed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Bipolar Disorder / physiopathology
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Bipolar Disorder / surgery*
  • Caudate Nucleus / physiopathology
  • Caudate Nucleus / surgery*
  • Depressive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / physiopathology
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / surgery*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / psychology
  • Psychosurgery / methods*
  • Sex Factors
  • Stereotaxic Techniques*
  • Treatment Outcome