[The Rapunzel syndrome - a case report: trichobezoar as a cause of intestinal perforation]

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of a patient with gastric trichobezoar extended through the small bowel, proper to the Rapunzel syndrome. CASE REPORT: Girl at age 7 with history and exams suggestive of peritonitis whose laparotomy demonstrated trichobezoar and jejunal perforation. She also presented alopecia and psychological disorder which were not totally eliminated despite the support given. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary view of the patient would have increased the suspicion rate for the pathology and would provide early diagnosis and treatment before complication was evident.

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