Fact check: Are lobotomies still performed?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, lobotomies are no longer performed as a standard medical practice. The sources consistently indicate that lobotomy has been abandoned by the medical community and is now considered "one of the greatest mistakes of modern medicine" ^[1].

The analyses reveal that while lobotomies were once promoted and widely performed, particularly under the influence of pioneers like Dr. Walter Freeman, the procedure has fallen out of favor and is no longer considered a viable treatment option for mental illnesses ^{[1] [2]}. The historical studies referenced in the sources, including follow-up research from projects started in 1948, suggest these procedures belong to a bygone era of psychiatric treatment ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important historical context that would help frame the answer more comprehensively. The analyses reveal several missing elements:

• Historical timeline: The sources discuss the development, proliferation, and eventual decline of lobotomy, but don't provide specific dates for when the practice was officially discontinued ^{[4] [5]}
• Ethical evolution: The analyses mention that lobotomy represents a significant moral dilemma and highlight lessons learned about medical innovation and ethics, but don't elaborate on what specific ethical standards now prevent such procedures ^{[4] [1]}
• Modern alternatives: While the sources indicate lobotomy is no longer viable, they don't discuss what current treatments have replaced it for severe mental health conditions ^[1]
• Regulatory context: The analyses don't address whether lobotomies are legally prohibited or simply medically discouraged in modern healthcare systems

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself doesn't contain misinformation, as it's posed as a straightforward inquiry. However, the question could potentially be misleading if it implies uncertainty about a settled medical consensus.

The analyses reveal that the historical promotion of lobotomy involved significant bias and "spinning" by its pioneers, who promoted the procedure despite limited evidence of its effectiveness ^[5]. This historical context suggests that any contemporary discussion of lobotomy should acknowledge the social and professional pressures that once influenced its acceptance, rather than treating it as a legitimate ongoing medical debate ^[5].

The sources emphasize that lobotomy's history serves as a cautionary tale about medical innovation, suggesting that framing the question without this historical context might inadvertently legitimize a discredited practice ^[1].