A dichotomectomy is a radical surgical procedure used on humanoids for removing an extra head.
History and specifics[]
Prior to 2274, a radical dichotomectomy was performed only once, by Doctor Leonard McCoy on Alkuk VI, but the patient's life could not be saved.
In 2274, McCoy and Doctor Christine Chapel successfully performed the procedure aboard the starship USS Enterprise for Dykranus, Imperator of Zeta-Atez, after he tripped and accidentally severed one of his heads. Two grams of cephalothin were given for asepsis, then nerve restructure began, with omnicaine and lidocaine used for pain blocking. Afterward, the cervical branch of the facial nerve was stabilized.
Dykranus recovered for three days in sickbay, then was returned to Zeta-Atez to recuperate and adapt to having only one head. He was grateful for the procedure, not only because it saved his life, but also because it allowed him to be able to interact in person for the first time with ordinary citizens. (TOS comic: "Heads of State")