Advances in pediatric surgery

Korean Association of Pediatric Surgeons (대한소아외과학회)
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Laparoscopic Removal of a Gastric Trichobezoar in an 8-Year-Old Girl - a Case Report -

  • Choi, Gyu-Seog (Department of Pediatric, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Choe, Byung-Ho (Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Park, Jin-Young (Department of Pediatric, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University)
  • 최규석 (경북대학교 의학전문대학원 외과학교실) ;
  • 최병호 (경북대학교 의학전문대학원 소아과학교실) ;
  • 박진영 (경북대학교 의학전문대학원 외과학교실)
  • Received : 2010.07.28
  • Accepted : 2010.08.31
  • Published : 2010.06.30
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Abstract

Gastric trichobezoars are commonly observed in young women with trichotillomania and trichophagia. We encountered an 8-year-old girl who had trichotillomania and trichophagia with abdominal pain and a mass, which was diagnosed as a large gastric trichobezoar. On physical examination, a huge, firm nontender mobile mass was palpated in her epigastrium. An upper gastrointestinal series and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large mass in the stomach. Endoscopic removal was tried but failed. Laparoscopic removal was therefore performed. The trichobezoar was successfully retrieved through a gastrotomy and removed through an extended umbilical trocar incision. This case demonstrates that laparoscopic removal of large gastric trichobezoars is feasible and safe without a large abdominal incision.

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