Objective To investigate the effect ofstereotactic bilateral internal capsulotomy on patients with refractory depression disorders and thier complications.Methods Twenty-one patients with treatment-resistant depression,admitted to and underwent stereotactic bilateral internal capsulotomy in our hospital from March 2008 to December 2012,were chosen.Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed; before and one year after operation,Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD),Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) were performed by psychiatrist to evaluate the treatment efficacy.Results (1) The total scores of HAMA and HAMD after operation were significantly lower than those before operation (P＜0.05),while no obvious difference in the MMSE scores was noted between before and after operation.(2) One year after the operation,6 patients met the criterion of clinical control,8 improved significantly,5 got improvement and 2 did not improve; the total effective rate was 90.5％ (19/21).(3) Complications included mild cognitive deficit and transient dysmnesia in 3 patients who all recovered in one week,absence of interest as well as inactiveness in 3 patients,and weight-gain in 2.No serious complications such as cerebral hemorrhage and nerve injuries were noted in all the patients after the operation.Conclusion Stereotactic bilateral capsulotomy is an effective treatment method which can be considered as a compensatory way of treating refractory depression disorders.