leucotomy
/luːˈkɒtəmi/
noun
- A surgical operation that cuts nerve fibers in the brain, formerly used to treat severe mental illness; also called lobotomy.
- Leucotomy was once performed on patients with severe schizophrenia.
- Modern medicine rarely uses leucotomy, as better treatments are now available.
- The history of leucotomy is controversial due to its often harmful side effects.
Synonyms