J Korean Surg Soc.
2001 Jan;60(1):118-121.
Case of the Rapunzel Syndrome in a Child
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Puchon, Korea.
Abstract
- Rapunzel syndrome is a rare form of gastric trichobezoar extending through the small bowel and develops after swallowing hairs or carpet which are trapped in the gastric mucosa and become enmeshed. In adult, it occurs most frequently after a gastric resection, but in children, it is frequently associated with pica, mental retardation, and coexistent psychiatric pathologic disorders. This syndrome is usually found in girls with varying gastrointestinal symptoms due to gastric outlet obstruction or secondary ulcerations. Although most small trichobezoars are removed easily by using a gastrofiberscope, surgical removal is recommended for large or complicated trichobezoar. In this syndrome, psychiatric treatment should follow to diminish the frequency of recurrence. We report the case report of a 6-year-old girl who frequently swallowed of her hairs for 3 years, resulting in frequent vomiting and an epigastric palpable mass in which a gastric trichobezoar extended to the duodenum and proximal jejunum.
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