Psychosurgical Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Related Ethical Issues

Kim, Chan Hyung; Chang, Jin Woo; Koo, Min Seong

Abstract

Several case reports suggest that neurosurgical operations can improve symptoms in patients with severe treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, it is unclear which procedure is best and which may produce the most side-effects. We also review recent ethical issues related to the procedures. We review the literature on the efficacy and complications of frequently used neurosurgical procedures that are used to treat refractory OCD and related ethical issues. Since the vast majority of patients who underwent surgery were severely and chronically disabled, it is likely that these procedure were of assistance in alleviating some of their symptoms. It is currently impossible to determine which surgical procedure is the best for a particular patient. Since the psychosurgery is reported as effective in the area of human behavior and psychopathology, the indication for operation demand strict ethical process. Recent studies report that strict informed consent and the evaluation for competence to decide whether to get operation with free will should be taken so as to stress the autonomy of patients for the treatment. Despite a lack of controlled data and inconsistencies in the literature, it appears that when nonsurgical treatments have failed to improve OCD symptoms significantly in severely ill patients, at least partial relief can be obtained by some people with OCD by neurosurgery. Results of cumulative studies strongly support the need for continued research in this area.