THE SELECTION OF PSYCHIATRIC CASES FOR PREFRONTAL LOBOTOMY
LOTHAR B. KALINOWSKY M. D.1, and
JOHN E. SCARFF M. D.1
1 The Neurological Institute, New York, N. Y.
We have tried to bring out a number of points which may be helpful in the selection of cases for lobotomy. In future work, individual case reports rather than large statistics should be encouraged after the statistical approach has served its purpose as a rough means of general orientation. Careful psychiatric diagnosis including evaluation of the patient's premorbid personality are prerequisites for a proper selection of cases. Weighing of the patient's illness and of his suffering against possible sequelae of the operation will determine our decision in each individual case. Long-range therapeutic planning is of primary importance since more therapeutic procedures are available. Integration of lobotomy with the other methods at our disposal will definitely increase the number of successfully treated patients in psychiatry.
