What is a Lobotomy?Procedure, History, & Risk [2024]

What is a lobotomy?

Lobotomy is a medical procedure that was once used to treat various psychiatric and psychological conditions, particularly in the mid-20th century. The procedure involved the surgical removal or damage to the frontal lobes of the brain, which are the front part of the cerebral cortex. The idea behind lobotomy was that by altering the brain's structure, it could alleviate the symptoms of mental illness and reduce emotional disturbances.

What happens when someone is lobotomized?

When someone undergoes a lobotomy, the procedure involves altering the frontal lobes of the brain, which can have profound and often negative effects on the individual's cognitive and emotional functioning. The exact outcomes can vary depending on the specific technique used and the extent of the procedure. Here are some common effects and consequences of lobotomy:

Changes in Personality: 

Lobotomy often results in alterations in an individual's personality. People who have undergone this procedure may become emotionally blunted, indifferent, and less expressive. They may lose their motivation, become apathetic, and display reduced emotional responsiveness.

Cognitive Impairment: 

Lobotomized individuals can experience cognitive deficits, including memory problems, impaired judgment, and a decrease in problem-solving abilities. These effects can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the frontal lobes.

Reduced Inhibitions: 

Some individuals who have undergone a lobotomy may exhibit impulsive and disinhibited behavior. They may have difficulty controlling their impulses and emotions, which can lead to inappropriate social interactions.

Motor and Sensory Impairments: 

In some cases, motor and sensory functions can be affected. Individuals may experience weakness, loss of coordination, or changes in their sensory perception.

Incontinence: 

Lobotomy can lead to problems with bladder and bowel control, resulting in urinary and fecal incontinence.

Speech and Language Difficulties: 

Communication difficulties may arise, including problems with speech and language. Some individuals may have trouble expressing themselves or understanding others.

How is a lobotomy performed?

Lobotomy was performed through various techniques, and the specific method could vary depending on the surgeon and the time period in which the procedure was conducted. One of the most infamous methods was the transorbital or "ice pick" lobotomy developed by Dr. Walter Freeman. Here's an overview of how this particular method was performed:

Patient Preparation: 

The patient would typically be restrained or sedated to prevent movement during the procedure. They were often awake or lightly sedated, as this allowed the surgeon to assess the effects of the procedure in real-time.

Anesthesia:

Local anesthesia was applied to numb the area around the eyes and forehead.

Instrument Insertion: 

The surgeon would insert an instrument, often resembling an ice pick or a similar thin, sharp object, through the patient's eye sockets and into the brain. The instrument was typically inserted just above the eyeball and pushed through the thin bone into the frontal lobes of the brain.

Lesion Formation: 

The surgeon would then move the instrument back and forth, damaging or severing the connections in the frontal lobes. The exact technique varied, but the goal was to disrupt the neural pathways in the frontal lobes.

Closure: 

Once the surgeon believed the procedure was complete, the instrument was withdrawn, and the eye sockets were left to heal naturally. No stitches or formal closure was typically performed.

What are lobotomies used for?

Lobotomies were historically used as a treatment for various psychiatric and psychological conditions, particularly in the mid-20th century. However, the use of lobotomies has been widely discredited and is considered an outdated and inhumane medical practice. Lobotomies were used for the following purposes:

Treatment of Mental Illness: 

Lobotomies were initially introduced as a treatment for severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder when there were limited alternatives for managing these conditions.

Behavioral Control: 

In some cases, lobotomies were used to control and modify behavior in individuals with behavioral disorders or those who were considered difficult to manage.

Reduction of Agitation and Aggression: 

Lobotomies were sometimes used to reduce agitation, aggression, and violent behavior in individuals with mental health issues.

Symptom Management: 

They were used to alleviate the symptoms of certain psychiatric disorders, even though the long-term effects often included a reduction in emotional responsiveness and cognitive functioning.

What happens after a lobotomy?

After undergoing a lobotomy, an individual can experience various physical, cognitive, and emotional changes. The exact effects can vary depending on the specific type of lobotomy and the extent of the procedure. Here are some common outcomes and consequences:

Changes in Personality: 

Lobotomized individuals often exhibit changes in their personality. They may become emotionally blunted, indifferent, and less expressive. Some may lose motivation and become apathetic. This can lead to a significant reduction in emotional responsiveness.

Cognitive Impairment: 

Lobotomies can result in cognitive deficits. Individuals may experience memory problems, impaired judgment, and difficulties with problem-solving. These effects can range from mild to severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the frontal lobes.

Reduced Inhibitions: 

Some people who have undergone lobotomies may exhibit impulsive and disinhibited behavior. They may have difficulty controlling their impulses and emotions, which can lead to inappropriate social interactions.

Motor and Sensory Impairments: 

In some cases, lobotomized individuals may experience motor and sensory issues. These can include weakness, loss of coordination, and changes in sensory perception.

Incontinence: 

Problems with bladder and bowel control can occur, resulting in urinary and fecal incontinence.

Speech and Language Difficulties: 

Communication difficulties may arise, including issues with speech and language. Some individuals may have trouble expressing themselves or understanding others.

Psychosocial Consequences: 

Lobotomy can have significant psychosocial consequences. Individuals may face stigma and social isolation due to their changed behavior and appearance.

Also read: Round Bruise with White Center

Types of lobotomy

Lobotomy procedures have evolved over time, with different techniques developed for specific purposes. Here are a few notable types of lobotomy:

Prefrontal Lobotomy: 

This was one of the earliest forms of lobotomy, performed by drilling holes into the skull and injecting alcohol or other substances into the frontal lobes of the brain. This procedure was used to treat various psychiatric disorders.

Standard Lobotomy (Leucotomy): 

Developed by Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz in the 1930s, this procedure involved drilling holes in the skull and cutting connections in the frontal lobes using a wire loop. It was primarily used to treat severe mental illness.

Transorbital Lobotomy (Ice Pick Lobotomy): 

Developed by Dr. Walter Freeman in the 1940s, this method involved inserting a thin instrument resembling an ice pick through the eye sockets to reach the frontal lobes. It was less invasive and required no skull drilling. It gained notoriety for its simplicity and speed but was also criticized for its risks and negative effects.

Bifrontal Lobotomy: 

This procedure involved the removal or damage to both frontal lobes of the brain. It was used to treat severe mental illness but often resulted in significant cognitive and emotional impairments.

Midline Lobotomy: 

In this method, the connections between the frontal lobes were severed along the midline of the brain. This was an attempt to reduce some of the more severe side effects associated with earlier forms of lobotomy.

Are lobotomies still performed today?

No, lobotomies are no longer performed today as a treatment for mental illness. The use of lobotomies has been widely discredited and is considered an outdated and inhumane medical practice. Advances in psychiatry and neuroscience, along with the development of psychiatric medications and more effective forms of therapy, have provided better alternatives for the treatment of mental health conditions.

Lobotomies had serious and often unpredictable side effects, including changes in personality, cognitive impairment, and emotional blunting. The negative outcomes and ethical concerns associated with lobotomies led to their abandonment in favor of more appropriate and safer treatments. The practice is now viewed as a historical example of a controversial and harmful medical intervention.

When was the last lobotomy performed?

The last recorded lobotomy in the United States was performed by Dr. Walter Freeman in 1967 and ended in the death of the person on whom it was performed.

Is lobotomy illegal now?

Lobotomies are not illegal in an absolute sense, but they are highly restricted and not performed for psychiatric treatment. The use of lobotomies for psychiatric purposes has been widely discredited, and the medical community has abandoned the practice due to its serious and unpredictable side effects, ethical concerns, and the availability of more effective and humane treatments for mental health conditions.

Why was lobotomy banned?

Lobotomy, a surgical procedure in which certain connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex were severed or disrupted, was banned or heavily restricted in many countries for several reasons.

Did lobotomies cause death?

Lobotomies had the potential to cause death, although death was not a common outcome of the procedure. Lobotomies were typically performed as a surgical procedure, and like any surgery, they carried inherent risks.

How painful were lobotomies?

Lobotomies were typically performed under anesthesia, so patients would not experience pain during the surgical procedure itself. The procedure was conducted using various techniques, including the transorbital lobotomy (ice pick lobotomy) and the prefrontal lobotomy. The level of pain or discomfort associated with lobotomies would primarily depend on the specific technique and the patient's individual experience.

Are there any lobotomy survivors?

While lobotomies are no longer widely performed and have been largely abandoned as a medical practice, there are individuals who survived the procedure and are living today, particularly those who underwent lobotomies before the practice was largely discontinued in the mid-20th century.

Are lobotomies harmful?

Lobotomies were a medical procedure that involved surgically severing or disrupting connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex. The practice of lobotomies is widely considered to be harmful for several reasons.

Was lobotomy done without anesthesia?

Lobotomies were typically performed under anesthesia to ensure that patients did not experience pain during the surgical procedure. The use of anesthesia was a standard practice in surgical and medical procedures, including lobotomies, to ensure the comfort and safety of the patient.

What famous person had a lobotomy?

There have been several well-known individuals who underwent lobotomies. Some of these cases are well-documented and have drawn public attention due to the individuals' fame. Here are a few examples:

Rosemary Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy was the sister of President John F. Kennedy and underwent a lobotomy in 1941. The procedure was performed to address behavioral and intellectual challenges. Unfortunately, the lobotomy resulted in severe and permanent disabilities for Rosemary, and it had a significant impact on her life and the Kennedy family.

Frances Farmer: Frances Farmer was a prominent American actress known for her roles in films and on Broadway during the 1930s and 1940s. She underwent a lobotomy in 1945 while she was committed to a psychiatric hospital. The procedure was performed without her consent and had a profound effect on her life.

Howard Dully: Howard Dully's lobotomy story gained attention through a radio documentary and his memoir, "My Lobotomy: A Memoir." He received a lobotomy as a young boy in 1960, and his experience shed light on the controversial use of lobotomies in minors.

These are just a few examples of famous individuals who underwent lobotomies. Lobotomies were more common in the mid-20th century but have since been widely discredited and abandoned as a medical practice due to ethical concerns and the availability of more effective and humane treatments for mental health conditions.