Modified leukotomy in the treatment of intractable obessional neurosis.

Modified leukotomies were performed on 5 patients with severe, incapacitating obsessional neurosis. Symptoms had been present for 6 or more years in all patients, and 3 had been ill for more than 20 years. All had received adequate trials of more conventional treatments before the leukotomy but had shown little response. At the time of follow-up, which range from as early as 1 year to as late as nearly 7 years after surgery, each patient's condition had improved. One was considered to be in "full remission," there were "much improved," and one was still symptomatic but "improved."