In an extraordinary medical case, doctors in Bareilly successfully extracted 2 kilograms of human hair from the stomach of a 21-year-old woman suffering from a rare condition known as Rapunzel Syndrome. The patient, a resident of Kargaina, had been consuming her own hair since childhood due to trichophagia, a chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by the compulsive ingestion of hair. The mass of hair had filled her stomach and extended into parts of her intestine, preventing her from eating solid foods and leading to frequent vomiting of liquids.
The woman had been pulling out and ingesting her hair for 16 years, starting at the age of five. Trichophagia is often associated with trichotillomania, a condition that involves the compulsion to pull out one’s own hair, explained Dr. MP Singh, the surgeon who led the operation. “Trichophagia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that involves the repeated ingestion of hair,” said Dr. Singh. “It’s often linked to trichotillomania, where patients have an uncontrollable urge to pull out their hair.”
On September 20, a CT scan revealed a significant accumulation of hair in the patient’s stomach, prompting immediate medical intervention. A large hairball, medically referred to as a trichobezoar, was found to occupy her stomach and part of her intestine. Rapunzel Syndrome is a rare and severe manifestation of trichobezoar, often seen in individuals with a history of trichotillomania and trichophagia, according to Dr. Singh. The patient underwent surgery on September 26 to remove the hairball, which had caused significant distress and discomfort, including symptoms such as vomiting and epigastric pain.
Trichobezoars, or hairballs, can develop in the gastrointestinal tract and, while they may be benign, they can also pose severe health risks, often necessitating surgical intervention. In this patient’s case, the hairball had grown large enough to impede normal digestion, causing her to experience intense abdominal pain that finally led her family to seek medical help.
The family reported that they had noticed signs of hair-pulling in the woman for many years, but her condition remained hidden until it escalated to a critical stage. The CT scan and subsequent surgery brought the issue to light, and now she is receiving the necessary treatment, including counseling and psychological care. “She is currently undergoing counseling at the hospital to address her psychiatric disorder,” Dr. Singh added.
Hospital in-charge Dr. Alka Sharma described the case as extraordinary, highlighting that it was the first surgery of its kind at the district hospital in over two decades. “This case is unique, not just due to the size of the hairball but because such cases are rarely encountered,” Dr. Sharma said.
Trichotillomania and trichophagia are challenging psychiatric conditions often triggered by underlying stress, anxiety, or other emotional factors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the most effective treatment for these disorders, helping patients address and change the behaviors that lead to hair-pulling and ingestion. The young woman is currently recovering well and is under psychological care to prevent a recurrence.
Rapunzel Syndrome, while rare, highlights the complex interplay between psychiatric disorders and physical health. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent the serious health consequences that can arise from such conditions. The doctors in Bareilly are hopeful that with proper psychological support and ongoing care, the patient will recover fully and lead a healthier life.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)