Teenager’s Stomach Hairball Surgery – Urgent Medical Case
- A 17-year-old girl recently underwent surgery to remove a large hairball from her stomach, a condition known as rapunzel Syndrome.
- Rapunzel Syndrome is a rare form of trichobezoar, a condition were individuals ingest their own hair, leading to the formation of a hairball in the digestive tract.It's frequently...
- The teenager's caregivers reported a history of pica, a disorder characterized by the persistent craving and consumption of non-nutritive substances.
Teenagers Undergo Surgery for Rare Hair Ball Condition: Rapunzel Syndrome
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Updated September 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM PDT
What is Rapunzel Syndrome?
A 17-year-old girl recently underwent surgery to remove a large hairball from her stomach, a condition known as rapunzel Syndrome. The mass, extending from the stomach into the duodenum, caused persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, and difficulty swallowing, according to a case report published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports.
Rapunzel Syndrome is a rare form of trichobezoar, a condition were individuals ingest their own hair, leading to the formation of a hairball in the digestive tract.It’s frequently enough associated with underlying psychological disorders, specifically pica.
Pica and the Development of Trichobezoars
The teenager’s caregivers reported a history of pica, a disorder characterized by the persistent craving and consumption of non-nutritive substances. Over time,the ingestion of large amounts of hair led to the development of a substantial trichobezoar.
Diagnostic imaging, including computed tomography (CT) scans, confirmed the presence of the large hairball. Because of its size, doctors persistent that endoscopic removal was not feasible and proceeded with open surgery under general anesthesia.
Surgical Intervention and Recovery
The three-hour surgery successfully removed the intact hair mass. Following the procedure, the patient has shown no recurrence of pica behaviors and has been referred for psychiatric evaluation and behavioral therapy to address the underlying psychological factors and prevent future incidents.
Recent Similar Cases highlight Severity
This case is not isolated. Earlier in 2025, a 15-year-old girl required urgent surgery for intestinal obstruction caused by a giant trichobezoar.The surgery, a laparotomy, was complex and resulted in complications including hypothermia and coagulopathy, though the patient was ultimately stabilized after the hairball was extracted.
Medical literature consistently identifies behaviors like hair-pulling or hair-biting as typical symptoms of Rapunzel Syndrome. The condition requires a multidisciplinary approach involving surgical intervention and ongoing psychological support.