Lobotomy at the Gaustad hospital

The case records of 300 patients who were lobotomized, and 19 patients who had stereotaxic brain surgery during the period 1941-72 at Gaustad Hospital have been studied. The investigation shows that the practice of lobotomy was quite widespread. During the 1950s, lobotomy was carried out on broader...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Tidsskrift for den Norske Lægeforening Vol. 113; no. 17; p. 2092
Main Authors:	Ersland, S, Kringlen, E, Waal, H, Thaulow, J F
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	Norwegian
Published:	Norway 30-06-1993
Subjects:	Adult Female History, 20th Century Hospitals, Psychiatric - history Hospitals, Psychiatric - statistics & numerical data Humans Informed Consent - history Male Mental Disorders - diagnosis Mental Disorders - surgery Middle Aged Norway Prognosis Psychosurgery - history Psychosurgery - methods Psychosurgery - statistics & numerical data Norway
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Summary:	The case records of 300 patients who were lobotomized, and 19 patients who had stereotaxic brain surgery during the period 1941-72 at Gaustad Hospital have been studied. The investigation shows that the practice of lobotomy was quite widespread. During the 1950s, lobotomy was carried out on broader indications than normally thought to be the case. Relatives were usually asked for their consent, but the information they received was often questionable. Many of the operations were fatal, particularly in the initial years, and this result can be traced to one specific surgeon.
ISSN:	0029-2001