Lobotomy vs. Lobectomy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 15, 2024
Lobotomy is a controversial psychological surgery aimed at altering behavior by severing connections in the brain's prefrontal lobe, while lobectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a lobe of an organ, typically the lung or brain, often due to disease.
Difference Between Lobotomy and Lobectomy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lobotomy, historically used to treat mental disorders, involves cutting or scraping away most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain. On the other hand, lobectomy is a medical surgery that removes an entire lobe of an organ, such as a lung or a section of the brain, usually to treat conditions like cancer, infections, or benign tumors.
The intent behind a lobotomy is to alter a person's behavior and emotional state, which was once thought to offer a solution to otherwise untreatable mental conditions. Whereas a lobectomy is performed with the aim of removing diseased tissue or reducing risk in medical conditions such as lung cancer or brain tumors, aiming to preserve or improve health.
Lobotomy has been largely discredited and is no longer practiced due to its severe and often debilitating side effects, including changes in personality and impaired cognitive function. In contrast, lobectomy remains a common and medically accepted procedure, considered essential and often life-saving in cases of localized lung cancer and similar conditions.
The procedures themselves also differ significantly. A lobotomy was performed with minimal access to the brain through the skull, often using an instrument inserted above the eyeball to reach the frontal lobes. A lobectomy involves more precise surgical techniques, typically under general anesthesia, with careful removal of a lobe through incisions made in the chest or skull, depending on the organ being treated.
Both procedures reflect their respective medical philosophies and times: lobotomy as a part of early experimental psychiatric treatments, and lobectomy as part of modern surgical practices that focus on removing diseased tissue while preserving as much function as possible.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Surgical alteration of the brain to treat mental illness
Surgical removal of an organ lobe
Purpose
To change behavior and emotional state
To remove diseased or damaged tissue
Medical Use
Discredited and no longer used
Commonly performed, medically necessary
Typical Reasons
Mental disorders (historically)
Cancer, benign tumors, infections
Procedure
Minimal brain surgery, often through the skull's frontal area
Precise removal of a lobe, via chest or skull incisions
Compare with Definitions
Lobotomy
Now largely regarded as a dark period in psychiatric treatment.
Modern psychiatry rejects lobotomy due to ethical concerns and poor outcomes.
Lobectomy
Used in both cancer treatment and to remove benign growths.
Brain lobectomy can be necessary to remove tumors or areas causing seizures.
Lobotomy
Aimed at disrupting problematic behaviors and emotional states.
Lobotomies were thought to calm excessively aggressive or emotional patients.
Lobectomy
A surgical operation to remove a lobe of an organ, especially the lungs or brain.
Lung cancer is often treated by performing a lobectomy to remove the affected lobe.
Lobotomy
Performed with minimal invasion but severe consequences.
Early lobotomies were done using an ice pick-like instrument inserted above the patient's eyeball.
Lobectomy
Often results in improved outcomes for patients with localized disease.
Removing a diseased lung lobe can significantly improve breathing and overall health.
Lobotomy
A surgical procedure historically used to treat psychiatric disorders by severing connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex.
The lobotomy was once considered a treatment for severe mental illnesses.
Lobectomy
Considered a standard treatment in modern surgical practice.
Lobectomies are commonly performed with successful outcomes in hospitals worldwide.
Lobotomy
Often resulted in significant changes to personality and cognition.
Many lobotomy patients experienced drastic reductions in emotional response and personality alterations.
Lobectomy
Requires precise surgical techniques and careful post-operative care.
Surgeons use imaging technologies to guide the removal of lung lobes accurately.
Lobotomy
A lobotomy, or leucotomy, is a form of psychosurgery, a neurosurgical treatment of a mental disorder that involves severing connections in the brain's prefrontal cortex. The surgery causes most of the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain, to be severed.
Lobectomy
Lobectomy means surgical excision of a lobe. This may refer to a lobe of the lung (also simply called a lobectomy), a lobe of the thyroid (hemithyroidectomy), a lobe of the brain (as in anterior temporal lobectomy), or a lobe of the liver (hepatectomy).
Lobotomy
Surgical incision into the frontal lobe of the brain to sever one or more nerve tracts, a technique formerly used to treat certain mental disorders but now rarely performed.
Lobectomy
Surgical excision of a lobe, as of the lung.
Lobotomy
A surgical operation on the frontal lobe of the brain intent on treating certain mental illnesses.
Lobectomy
(surgery) The surgical removal of a lobe from an organ such as the lung or the brain
Lobotomy
The severing of the prefrontal cortex from the thalamic region of the brain.
Lobectomy
Surgical removal of a lobe from any organ of the body (such as the lung or brain).
Lobotomy
The severing of the sympathetic nerve trunk.
Lobectomy
Surgical removal of a lobe from any organ of the body (as the lung or brain)
Lobotomy
The surgical interruption of nerve tracts to and from the frontal lobe of the brain, by cutting into the brain.
Lobotomy
Surgical interruption of nerve tracts to and from the frontal lobe of the brain; often results in marked cognitive and personality changes
Common Curiosities
Why is lobectomy performed?
Lobectomy is performed to remove diseased or damaged parts of an organ, such as a lung or brain lobe, typically due to cancer or other health issues.
What are the risks associated with lobectomy?
Risks can include complications from surgery, such as infection or negative reactions to anesthesia, and the potential for reduced organ function.
What was the purpose of a lobotomy?
Lobotomy was used to alter behavior by damaging the brain's frontal lobes, aimed at patients with severe psychiatric disorders.
Can lobectomy affect a person's lifestyle?
Yes, depending on the organ involved and the extent of the removal, lobectomy can impact physical capabilities, though many patients recover and adapt well.
Is lobotomy still practiced today?
No, lobotomy has been discredited and is no longer practiced due to its severe ethical and functional repercussions.
What are common reasons for a lobectomy?
Common reasons include treating lung cancer, removing benign tumors, or addressing other localized diseases in organs like the brain.
What advancements have replaced lobotomy in psychiatry?
Modern psychiatry uses a combination of medications, therapy, and in some cases, less invasive neurosurgical techniques like deep brain stimulation for severe cases.
Were there any famous cases of lobotomy?
Yes, one of the most famous cases involved Rosemary Kennedy, sister of President John F. Kennedy, whose lobotomy led to severe lifelong disability.
How did the medical community view lobotomies historically?
Historically, lobotomies were viewed as a last resort to treat untreatable psychiatric conditions, but over time, they have been seen as barbaric and misguided.
What is the success rate of lobectomies?
The success rate of lobectomies depends on the condition being treated but is generally high for localized diseases like early-stage lung cancer.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
