Rapunzel syndrome: Surgical problem in a neuropsychiatric disorder

The Rapunzel syndrome is an extreme form of trichobezoar found in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, like trichotillomania (habit of hair pulling) and trichophagia (morbid habit of chewing the hair). The signs and symptoms are nonspecific and include vomiting, early satiety, abdominal...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gauravkumar Patel, Rupchand Surela, Ripalben Patel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-01-01
Series:Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mjdrdypu.org/article.asp?issn=0975-2870;year=2015;volume=8;issue=6;spage=813;epage=815;aulast=Patel
Description
Summary:The Rapunzel syndrome is an extreme form of trichobezoar found in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, like trichotillomania (habit of hair pulling) and trichophagia (morbid habit of chewing the hair). The signs and symptoms are nonspecific and include vomiting, early satiety, abdominal pain, abdominal mass, and weight loss. Diagnosis can be established with a thorough history combined with radiography and endoscopy with high index of suspicion. Treatment options include combination of laparoscopy and/or laparotomy with long-term psychiatric treatment and monitoring. We report the case of an 17-year-old female, who presented with an abdominal pain, fullness after meals, nausea, vomiting and significant weight loss due to a trichobezoar with a long, 130 cm tail into the small bowel. The patient had an uneventful postoperative outcome after laparotomy and removal of trichobezoar.
ISSN:0975-2870