[Intestinal obstruction due to a trichobezoar or Rapunzel syndrome: report of one case]

Rev Med Chil. 2008 Aug;136(8):1027-30. Epub 2008 Oct 7.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Rapunzel syndrome or gastrointestinal trichobezoar is caused by hair ingestion. The diagnosis may be suspected in young females with important weight loss, who deny hair eating. We report a 16 year-old female consulting in the emergency room for abdominal pain. She was subjected to an exploratory laparotomy and a big mass was palpated in the stomach. A gastrostomy and enterostomy were performed and a 17 x 6 x 5 cm trichobezoar was extracted. The patient had an uneventful postoperative outcome and was derived to Psychiatry.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bezoars / complications
  • Bezoars / diagnosis*
  • Bezoars / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / diagnosis*
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / etiology
  • Gastric Outlet Obstruction / surgery
  • Hair
  • Humans
  • Stomach*
  • Trichotillomania / complications