[Rapunzel's syndrome (trichobezoar)]

The Rapunzel syndrome is uncommon, only 6 cases have been previously reported. Its characteristics are: 1) the body of a trichobezoar located in the stomach, and its tail in the small bowel and/or in the right colon, 2) small or large bowel obstruction, 3) occurring in psychiatric patients and, 4) trichophagia. We have added an additional patient, who was submitted to our hospital with diagnosis of abdominal mass, who, during his work-up was found with the above mentioned characteristics. The patient underwent a exploratory celiotomy, gastrotomy, and the trichobezoar was removed. The pathogenesis and current treatment are reviewed.