The Rapunzel syndrome: a hard-to-swallow tale.

INTRODUCTION

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare entity comprising of a large gastroduodenal trichobezoar due to trichotillomania. Its treatment is often surgical.

CASE REPORT: A 27-year-old patient was investigated after an upper gastro-intestinal tract obstruction. Computed tomography and endoscopy showed a large gastric trichobezoar with a duodenojejunal tail. Conservative treatments failed to remove the bezoar. We performed a short laparotomy which allowed the removal of the bezoar through a longitudinal gastrotomy. Postoperative course was uneventful.