Rapunzel syndrome: a case report and review of literature.

ABSTRACT

Bezoars consist of ingested foreign material or organic matter which forms a mass in the gastrointestinal tract, usually in stomach. Trichobezoars formed by swallowed hair present with malnutrition, weight loss, abdominal pain with signs of gastrointestinal obstruction. Gastric trichobezoar with a tail reaching the small intestine is called Rapunzel syndrome. Although endoscopic methods are available to remove bezoars, majority of trichobezoars with Rapunzel syndrome undergo surgical removal.