Psychosurgery on sex offenders and sexual "deviants" in West Germany. 1979

I Rieber, and V Sigusch

About 70 men have undergone a stereotaxic hypothalamotomy in West Germany for sexual behaviors. In most cases the nucleus ventromedialis (Cajal) has been unilaterally destroyed. The question of whether this kind of psychosurgery shoudl be legally controlled is being discussed by both scientists and the public in West Germany. The justification for this psychosurgery is taken from a theoretical basis which is at least questionable and which stems from a biologically truncated and therefore limited perspective on human sexuality. An inspection of the published reports shows that the indication for surgery was based on questionable scientific and clinical grounds and practically excluded psychotherapeutic and sociotherapeutic aspects. In the authors' opinion stereotaxic hypothalamotomy can in no way be regarded as an unquestioned, applicable method of therapy. We consider it essential that this surgery be suspended at least as long as the possible therapeutic effectiveness and the possible adverse side effects remain unclear.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007031 Hypothalamus Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE. Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D008297 Male Males
D010262 Paraphilic Disorders Disorders that include recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors generally involving nonhuman objects, suffering of oneself or partners, or children or other nonconsenting partners. (from DSM-V) Paraphilias,Sex Deviations,Deviation, Sex,Deviations, Sex,Disorder, Paraphilic,Disorders, Paraphilic,Paraphilia,Paraphilic Disorder,Sex Deviation
D011612 Psychosurgery Treatment of chronic, severe and intractable psychiatric disorders by surgical removal or interruption of certain areas or pathways in the brain, especially in the prefrontal lobes. Gyrectomy,Leucotomy,Leukotomy,Lobotomy,Topectomy,Gyrectomies,Leucotomies,Leukotomies,Lobotomies,Psychosurgeries,Topectomies
D005860 Germany, West The former Federal Republic of Germany which was reunified with the former German Democratic Republic in 1990. Federal Republic of Germany,Germany, Federal Republic of
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012742 Sex Offenses Any violation of established legal or moral codes in respect to sexual behavior. Sexual Assault,Sexual Abuse,Sexual Violence,Abuse, Sexual,Abuses, Sexual,Assault, Sexual,Assaults, Sexual,Offense, Sex,Offenses, Sex,Sex Offense,Sexual Abuses,Sexual Assaults,Sexual Violences,Violence, Sexual,Violences, Sexual
D013238 Stereotaxic Techniques Techniques used mostly during brain surgery which use a system of three-dimensional coordinates to locate the site to be operated on. Stereotactic Techniques,Stereotaxic Technics,Stereotactic Technique,Stereotaxic Technic,Stereotaxic Technique,Technic, Stereotaxic,Technics, Stereotaxic,Technique, Stereotactic,Technique, Stereotaxic,Techniques, Stereotactic,Techniques, Stereotaxic

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