Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2012 Mar;55(3):206-208. 10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.3.206.

Hair tourniquet syndrome of the labium minora in an 11-year-old girl: A case report

• Lee DH
• Koh MW

• KMID: 2274129
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2012.55.3.206

Abstract

Hair tourniquet syndrome refers to the strangulation of appendages by a thread of human hair. This condition can lead to ischemic injury of these appendages. Thus, to avoid constrictive injury, prompt recognition and treatment are very important. Affected areas include fingers, toes, and genitalia. Hair tourniquet syndrome involving the labium minora is extremely rare. We here report a case of hair tourniquet syndrome involving the labia minora in an 11-year-old girl.

Keyword

Hair tourniquet syndrome; Labium minora; Strangulation

MeSH Terms

Child
Fingers
Genitalia
Hair
Humans
Toes
Tourniquets

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A swollen and half-amputated labium minora.

• 

  Fig. 2 Strangulation of the labium minora by a hair thread.

Reference

1. Kuo JH, Smith LM, Berkowitz CD. A hair tourniquet resulting in strangulation and amputation of the clitoris. Obstet Gynecol. 2002. 99:939–941.

2. Klusmann A, Lenard HG. Tourniquet syndrome: accident or abuse? Eur J Pediatr. 2004. 163:495–498.

3. Rich MA, Keating MA. Hair tourniquet syndrome of the clitoris. J Urol. 1999. 162:190–191.

4. Sylwestrzak MS, Fischer BF, Fischer H. Recurrent clitoral tourniquet syndrome. Pediatrics. 2000. 105:866–867.

5. Haddad FS. Re: Penile tourniquet injury due to a coil of hair. J Urol. 1985. 134:1220.

6. Abel MF, McFarland R 3rd. Hair and thread constriction of the digits in infants. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1993. 75:915–916.

7. Osterhoudt KC, Beleniski F. Images in emergency medicine. The hair tourniquet syndrome. Ann Emerg Med. 2005. 45:458. 463.

8. Chapman HL. Digital strangulation by hair wrapping. Can Med Assoc J. 1968. 98:125.

9. Barton DJ, Sloan GM, Nichter LS, Reinisch JF. Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome. Pediatrics. 1988. 82:925–928.

10. Webley JA, Schleif DR, Coleman J. Tourniquet Syndrome: an unusual presentation. Ann Emerg Med. 1981. 10:494–495.

11. Press S, Schachner L, Paul P. Clitoris tourniquet syndrome. Pediatrics. 1980. 66:781–782.

12. Bacon JL, Burgis JT. Hair thread tourniquet syndrome in adolescents: a presentation and review of the literature. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2005. 18:155–156.

13. Pomeranz M, Schachter B, Capua T, Beyth Y. Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome of labia minor. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2009. 22:e111–e113.

14. O'Gorman A, Ratnapalan S. Hair tourniquet management. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2011. 27:203–204.