The National Center for Mental Health Promotion has called for the need to adhere to scientifically proven practices and to limit the use of brain surgery to treat depression. The center said in a statement released yesterday to the Committee on Ethical and Professional Practices: “The committee has received many questions about the success and safety of neurosurgery operations for the brain as a treatment for depression.
The committee confirmed that this type of surgery was attempted a few decades ago, but the scientific evidence of its usefulness is still limited, so global guidelines (treatment protocols) for treating major depressive disorder do not include this type of surgery. brain surgery as one of the proposed treatment options, although treatment options with drugs, psychological sessions and brain stimulation have been exhausted.
The committee pointed out that there is better scientific evidence for treating depressive disorder that is resistant to traditional treatments, according to the evidence and scientific references. The committee recommended limiting the use of brain surgery for the treatment of depressive disorder due to the limited scientific evidence supporting it at the present time.
He said: “If necessary, its use should be limited to advanced health care facilities, under the supervision of a multidisciplinary medical team with strict restrictions, with official approvals obtained from the relevant authorities.
Medical teams specializing in neurosurgery and psychiatrists at King Salman Medical City in Medina have been able to alleviate the suffering of a patient with chronic depression, accompanied by more than 25 years of surgery to relieve his severe symptoms and anxiety that accompanies it.
He formed a medical team made up of psychiatrists and neurosurgeons; Discuss the case and approve surgery to relieve the severe symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with it, in which the team performed an operation (resection of the anterior gyrus on both sides) under full anesthesia, which was successful without complications and the patient’s mood and psychological condition improved and the hours of sleep returned to normal. Keep away from constant sadness and excessive thoughts about death and worry about the future.
Why did the committee restrict the use of surgery?
- Scientific evidence of its usefulness is still limited
- The protocols do not provide for this type of treatment
- There is better scientific evidence for the treatment of depressive disorder
- If necessary, it is carried out under the supervision of a specialized medical team
- Severe restrictions in case of need, with approvals taken
