What Is a Lobotomy?

Answer:

A lobotomy is a neurosurgical procedure, a form of psychosurgery, also known as a leukotomy or leucotomy. It consists of cutting the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain.

While the procedure, initially termed a leukotomy, has been controversial since its inception in 1935, it was for more than two decades a mainstream procedure prescribed for psychiatric (and occasionally other) conditions — this despite general recognition of frequent and serious side-effects.

Today, doctors sometimes perform what is known as psychosurgery, a form of neurosurgery which involves selective destruction of the brain, to treat very specific conditions. Generally such surgery is treated as an alternative of last resort.