Can patients with schizophrenia be treated with intracranial surgery?

Under normal circumstances, patients with schizophrenia rarely undergo intracranial surgery. It is only considered for treatment-resistant cases that meet strict criteria; routine cases are not recommended for surgical intervention. If there are concerns, early medical consultation is advised. Detailed analysis is as follows:

If schizophrenia is of the severe, treatment-resistant type and symptoms continue to severely impair daily functioning—such as persistent violent or self-harming behaviors—despite long-term, standardized treatments including medication and psychotherapy, intracranial surgery may be cautiously considered in specialized centers. This would only occur after multidisciplinary evaluation confirms eligibility (e.g., specific abnormal neural circuits) and rules out contraindications (e.g., severe structural brain abnormalities). It should be emphasized that the goal of surgery is symptom improvement rather than cure.

Surgery is inappropriate for patients experiencing an acute episode, those whose symptoms are manageable, or those who have not undergone adequate conservative treatment. Intracranial surgery carries significant risks, including infection and neurological damage. Treatment outcomes vary greatly between individuals, and long-term rehabilitation and continued therapy are still required post-surgery. For typical cases, the risks of surgery outweigh the benefits. Clinically, safer approaches such as medication combined with psychological interventions are prioritized.

Prior to considering surgical treatment, comprehensive evaluation by psychiatry and neurosurgery specialists across multiple hospitals is essential—decisions must not be made blindly. Even when criteria are met, patients and families must fully understand the risks and postoperative care requirements. Safety and adherence to standardized treatment protocols should always remain the top priority.