Psychosurgery: Stereotactic Subcaudate Tractotomy. An Indispensable Treatment

After years of controversy, psychosurgery in Britain has become re-established. This article discusses historical & contemporary psychosurgery. Nearly 1300 stereotactic subcaudate tractotomy (SST) operations have been done at a specialized London centre since 1961. SST allows 40-60% of patients to live normal or near-normal lives. In cases of uncontrolled affective disorders, suicide rates dropped from 15% to 1%. SST is considered an indispensible treatment of last resort. (71 Refs.)