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Massive 1.16kg Hairball Removed From Woman's Stomach
3 Sep
Summary
- A 20-year-old woman had a 1.16 kg hairball removed from her stomach.
- The hairball was formed from swallowing her own hair for 11 years.
- Surgery was required after endoscopic removal attempts failed.
A 20-year-old woman underwent surgery to remove a substantial 1.16-kg hairball from her stomach, a condition stemming from consuming her own hair for 11 years. This behavior, known as trichophagia, led to severe abdominal pain and persistent vomiting.
Doctors at Manipal Hospital Dwarka discovered a large, J-shaped trichobezoar during an examination, which extended from her esophagus junction into the small intestine. Initial endoscopic attempts to break down and remove the mass were unsuccessful.
A subsequent laparoscopic procedure was performed, involving a small abdominal incision to carefully extract the entire hairball. The patient's symptoms have since resolved, with significant improvement in appetite and tolerance to food.
Physicians emphasize that while the physical complication is treated, addressing the underlying trichophagia through psychological support is crucial to prevent recurrence.
