Rapunzel Syndrome: a rare cause of acute small bowel obstruction

Received: December 09, 2009
Accepted: January 05, 2010
Ref: Yagnik VD, Parmar G, Yagnik BD. Rapunzel Syndrome: a rare cause of acute small bowel obstruction. Internet J Med Update 2010 Jul;5(2):71-72.

RAPUNZEL SYNDROME: A RARE CAUSE OF ACUTE SMALL BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

Dr. Vipul D Yagnik*, Dr. Ghanshyam Parmar^† and Dr. Bhargav D Yagnik^‡

*Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Pramukhswami Medical College, Shri Krishna Hospital, Karamsad, Gujarat, India
^†Consultant Surgeon, G K General Hospital, Bhuj, Gujarat, India
^‡General Practitioner, Karamsad, Gujarat, India

(Corresponding Author: Dr. Vipul D Yagnik, Department of Surgery, Pramukhswami Medical College, Shri Krishna Hospital, Karamsad, Gujarat, India; Email: vipul_yagnik@yahoo.com)

ABSTRACT

The Rapunzel syndrome is a very rare condition where trichobezoar has extended up to the small bowel. Here we are reporting a rare case of Rapunzel syndrome in an adolescent girl with history of trichophagia who presented with small bowel obstruction. Patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and bezoar was removed through gastrotomy. Post-operative course was unremarkable.

KEY WORDS: Rapunzel syndrome; Trichobezoars; Psychotherapy; Gastrotomy

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