Ad. Hodgkiss et al., OUTCOME AFTER THE PSYCHOSURGICAL OPERATION OF STEREOTAXIC SUBCAUDATE TRACTOTOMY, 1979-1991, The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 7(2), 1995, pp. 230-234
The outcome of all psychosurgical operations (stereotactic subcaudate
tractotomies) performed at the Geoffrey Knight National Unit for Affec
tive Disorders in London since 1979 is reviewed. Of patients who had s
uffered severe mood or obsessive-compulsive disorders before surgery,
84 of 249 (34%) were well 1 year after. The effects of gender, psychia
tric diagnosis, and age an outcome are assessed. The findings are comp
ared with a 1975 outcome study, and explanations for apparent differen
ces are proposed.