Lobotomy, a once-popular but controversial medical procedure, involves the surgical alteration of the brain's prefrontal cortex to alleviate severe mental illnesses. Developed in the 1930s by Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz, it gained traction as a treatment for conditions like schizophrenia, severe depression, and anxiety disorders. The procedure involves drilling holes into the skull and severing or damaging connections in the brain's frontal lobes. Initially hailed as a breakthrough in psychiatric treatment, it was believed to calm erratic behavior and reduce symptoms, albeit with significant risks and side effects. However, lobotomy fell out of favor due to its unpredictable outcomes and severe consequences. Patients often experienced personality changes, cognitive impairments, emotional blunting, and in some cases, complete loss of functionality. Ethical concerns grew as its widespread use highlighted the lack of understanding regarding its long-term effects. Despite its initial popularity, the procedure's crude nature and the emergence of alternative therapies led to its decline. The development of psychotropic medications and advancements in psychotherapy eventually rendered lobotomy obsolete. Its history serves as a cautionary tale about the ethical implications of medical interventions and the importance of evidence-based practices in mental health care.
Title : Microbial spectrum and histo-pathological pattern in patients with breast abscess: A 5 year retrospective study in a tertiary care rural teaching hospital in South India
Caroline Francis, Hull Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom
Title : Evolution of surgical oncology
Nagy Habib, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Title : Cell therapy for chronic ischemia
Darwin Eton, Vasogenesis Inc, United States
Title : Improving post-operative analgesia regimens after emergency major abdominal surgery
Shifa Bangi, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom
Title : The coincidence between spinal perineural cysts, increased intracranial pressure and the appearance of small fiber neuropathy. Exploring the relationship and (surgical) lessons to be learned
Ricky Rasschaert, AZ Rivierenland, Belgium
Title : Predicting reductions in acute pain and opioid consumption with non-opioid analgesics: A machine learning analysis of randomised controlled trials (OPERA study)
Toluwalogo Daramola, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom