Neurosurgery for affective disorders at Atkinson Morley's Hospital 1948-1994.
Neurosurgical practice in the treatment of affective disorders has changed dramatically over the last 40 years. This paper traces the changes which have occurred in one institution, namely Atkinson Morley's Hospital, Wimbledon, London, UK from 1948 to the present day. Freehand operations designed by McKissock and performed on large numbers of patients disappeared as better non-surgical treatments became available and long term complications and treatment failures became dearer. In the 1970's stereotactic limbic leucotomy, a much more focal and accurate operation, was devised and became popular. The present day practice utilises precisely the same techniques as the original stereotactic limbic leucotomy but is employed on small numbers of patients. The procedure continues to have a role for those few patients with severe psychiatric illness, particularly obsessive compulsive disorder, which has proved refractory to other therapeutic modalities.
Kitchen
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Department of Neurosurgery, Atkinson Morley's Hospital, London, U.K.
D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000601:surgery; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery; D011612:Psychosurgery / Q000266:history*; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000266:history*; D006113:United Kingdom