DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2023.v11i09.005

Pages: 1587-1590

Rapunzel Syndrome is an extremely rare complication of gastric trichobezoars. Here, we report an unusual case of a 16-year-old girl presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting. Clinical examination revealed a tender abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography showed a well-defined heterogeneous mass occupying the entire gastric cavity with extension into the third part of the duodenum. A diagnosis of giant trichobezoar was suspected after further questioning revealed trichotillomania, trichophagia, and onychophagia. Endoscopic removal of the trichobezoar was unsuccessful, and only a few hair fibers were retrieved for diagnostic purposes. Subsequently, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. An antral gastrotomy was carried out, and a 25x10x7 cm trichobezoar was extracted without complications. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was referred to psychiatry. Rapunzel Syndrome is a rare trichobezoar typically found in young women, often associated with an underlying psychiatric disorder. Recurrence is generally infrequent, but long-term psychiatric follow-up is crucial in preventing trichobezoar recurrence.