[Stereotactic operations-complications and the legal position (author's transl)].

Postoperative complications like lethality and morbidity and are the decisive aspects in the controversy about the acceptance of stereotactic operations, especially in cases of deviant sexual behaviour. The mere fact that there is a favourable efficiency-risk quotient promotes the danger of an uncritical expansion to non-conformists and scientific outsiders, of an uncontrolled manipulation, and an imminent intrusion by extramedical controlling instances into the relations between physician and patient. Stereotactic operations do not fall under the castration law because of their aim and their effect to harmonize an extremely disturbed sexual behaviour. Since the personality structure is not destroyed by this intervention, the operation is not immoral and consequently not penal. Nevertheless, it is justified only as a method of last resort to patients who are therapy-resistent, self-destructive, and aggressive towards others.