Surgery to remove 500 grams of hair from the stomach of a 6-year-old patient

Director of Quang Ngai Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital Nguyen Dinh Tuyen said that doctors from the Department of Surgery, in collaboration with the Department of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, completed the surgery to remove a 500-gram hairball from the stomach of a 6-year-old patient.

On the afternoon of December 8, the child was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain and a weak body. Through ultrasound, doctors discovered that the child had a large tumor in the epigastric region. After performing an endoscopy, the tumor in the child's stomach was confirmed to be a large hairball.

The doctors ordered laparoscopic surgery under anesthesia. As a result, a very large, tightly twisted hairball, occupying almost the entire stomach of the child, was removed, weighing about 500 grams. The surgery was successful. The child is currently being monitored.

Doctors said the child had Rapunzel Syndrome - a rare psychological disorder that causes the patient to pull out and eat hair. This syndrome is common in girls, especially those before entering first grade.

The family said that the child had a habit of pulling out the hair of adults in the house and putting it in his mouth to chew. At first, the family thought the children were playing around so they didn't pay much attention. Recently, the child complained of a dull stomach ache so the family took him to the doctor and discovered the problem.

Although people with this syndrome can still eat and drink normally, prolonged hair swallowing will lead to reflux, intestinal obstruction, stomach ulcers, and even life-threatening. People with this syndrome often have symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, rapid weight loss...

Director of Quang Ngai Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital Nguyen Dinh Tuyen said that people with this syndrome are treated mainly with surgery, psychological treatment and micronutrient supplements to prevent the hair-eating behavior from recurring.

Rapunzel syndrome is very rare. Therefore, when adults discover their children putting hair in their mouths, they must stop them and take them to a medical facility. Parents of children with this syndrome need to participate in treatment with a doctor so that their children can be supported in giving up the habit of eating hair, the doctor recommends./.

(TTXVN/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/phau-thuat-lay-500gram-toc-trong-da-day-benh-nhi-6-tuoi-post1081927.vnp