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The Rapunzel syndrome: a hard-to-swallow tale
Thierry Bège1, Ariadne Desjeux, Benjamin Coquet-Reinier
1Department of Digestive Surgery, Hôpital Nord, Chemin des Bourrely, 13915, Marseille cedex 20, France. thierry.bege@ap-hm.fr
Summary
Rapunzel syndrome, a rare condition of a large bezoar in the stomach and duodenum caused by hair pulling, typically requires surgery. This case highlights successful surgical removal of a complex trichobezoar.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Case Reports
Background:
- Rapunzel syndrome is a rare condition characterized by a large gastroduodenal trichobezoar, often linked to trichotillomania.
- Surgical intervention is the conventional treatment for this condition.
Observation:
- A 27-year-old patient presented with upper gastro-intestinal tract obstruction.
- Imaging revealed a significant gastric trichobezoar extending into the duodenum and jejunum.
Findings:
- Conservative management approaches were unsuccessful in resolving the obstruction.
- A minimally invasive laparotomy facilitated the successful removal of the trichobezoar via gastrotomy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the efficacy of surgical intervention for complex Rapunzel syndrome cases.
- Prompt surgical management can lead to favorable patient outcomes, as demonstrated by the uneventful postoperative recovery.
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