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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Laparoscopy-endoscopy Cooperative Surgery for the Treatment of Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Published on: February 19, 2022
Laparoscopic intragastric removal of giant trichobezoar
Harry F Dorn1, John L Gillick, Gustavo Stringel
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.
Background And Objectives:
Gastric bezoars are a rare clinical entity, most commonly observed in patients with mental or emotional illness. Large bezoars can be difficult to remove laparoscopically without extending a port incision.
Methods:
We report the case of a large symptomatic trichobezoar with Rapunzel syndrome that occurred in a 17-year-old girl who had trichotillomania.
Results:
The bezoar was removed laparoscopically, in piecemeal fashion, through a gastrotomy port. This procedure did not require an extension of any incision, nor did it require the contents of the stomach to directly touch the incision, thereby reducing the risk of infection. The patient was discharged home, on the fourth postoperative day, free of any complications.
Conclusion:
This case illustrates the safety of the laparoscopic approach in the removal of large gastric bezoars. In considering use of this approach, the potentially long operative time must be weighed against the benefits of both minimal risk of infection and minimal incisions.
