Abstract
Objective: To analyze the incidence of patients with Rapunzel Syndrome who developed gastric trichobezoar as a complication, identifying risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic approaches. Methods: This is an integrative literature review conducted in September 2023. Articles were selected from LILACS, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases using the descriptors "bezoar," "trichobezoar," and "trichotillomania" in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, combined with the Boolean operator "OR." Studies published between July 2013 and August 2023 were included, excluding congress proceedings and editorials. Results: Nineteen articles were included in the final analysis. Most cases occurred in young women with psychiatric disorders, mainly trichotillomania. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. In severe cases, intestinal obstruction and gastric perforation were reported. Diagnostic methods included endoscopy and computed tomography. Endoscopic removal was effective for small bezoars, while surgery was necessary for larger ones. There are no standardized treatment protocols, reinforcing the need for individualized management. Final considerations: Rapunzel Syndrome remains a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and non-specific symptoms. Early recognition and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial to reducing complications and recurrence.
References
AHMAD Z, et al. Trichobezoar causing gastric perforation: a case report. Iran J Med Sci, 2016; 41: 67-70.
AKBULUT S, et al. Gastric Bezoars. Przegl Gastroenterol, 2016; 1: 60-61.
ALTINTOPRAK F, et al. Intestinal bezoar obstruction in elderly patients: risk factors and treatment outcomes. Emerg Med Int, 2019; 2019: 1-5.
ALTONBARY A, BAHGAT M. Rapunzel syndrome. J Transl Int Med, 2015; 3: 79-81.
ALVAREZ L, et al. Huge gastric trichobezoar caused by involuntary nocturnal trichophagia and trichotillomania in a female adolescent. Int J Surg Case Rep, 2022; 99: 1-4.
BEN-PORAT T, et al. Gastrointestinal phytobezoar following bariatric surgery: systematic review. Surg Obes Relat Dis, 2016; 12(9): 1747-1754.
DIKICIER E, et al. Intestinal obstruction due to phytobezoars: an update. World J Clin Cases, 2015; 3: 721-726.
DORTERLER M, et al. Bezoar types in children and aetiological factors affecting bezoar formation: a single-centre retrospective study. Portal Reg BVS, 2023; 20: 08-11.
HARIKRISHNAN S, et al. A modified laparoscopic technique for the removal of nonfragmentable giant gastric trichobezoar. Niger J Surg, 2020; 26: 84-87.
HUANG Z, et al Giant gastric bezoar removal from the stomach using combined dual knife– electric snare treatment: a case report. J Int Med Res, 2020; 48: 1-6.
KANG W, et al. A single-center 12-year experience of patients with gastrointestinal bezoars. Korean J Gastroenterol, 2023; 81: 253-258.
KIM J, NAM C. A case of Rapunzel syndrome. Pedratr Gastroenterol Nutri, 2013; 16: 127-130.
Kravitz S, et al. A bariatric curveball: a rare case of recurrent lactobezoars after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Mil Med, 2019; 185: 1294-1297.
LALITH S, et al. Rapunzel syndrome. J Clin Diagnóstico, 2017; 11: 01-02..
MASRI R, et al. Small bowel obstruction due to a phytobezoar thirty years after Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy: a case report. Int J Surg Case Rep, 2018; 50: 116-118. DOI 10.1016/2018/07023.
MEHRA A, et al. Trichophagia along with trichobezoar in the absence of trichotillomania. J Neurosci Rural Pract, 2014; 5: 55-57.
OHNESORGE S, et al. Et barn i tidlig skolealder ble innlagt med noen dagers sykehistorie med magesmerter, oppkast og en palpabel oppfylling i øvre del av abdomen. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen, 2020; 17: 140..
PATIL M, et al. Rapunzel syndrome: diagnostic challenges and multidisciplinary treatment strategies. Cureus, 2024.
POWELL C, et al. Diospyrobezoar formation in patient with sleeve gastrectomy. Cures, 2022; 14: 1-4.
RAMÍREZ B, et al. Small-bowel obstruction secondary to ileal trichobezoar in a patient with Rapunzel syndrome. Case Rep Gastroenterol, 2018; 12: 559-565.
VEGA N, et al. Farmacobezoar pediátrico tras sobreingesta de comprimidos vitamínicos. Cir Cir, 2017; 85: 30-33.
VIDIT V, et al. Recurrent Rapunzel syndrome in a 23-year-old female with a history of ingested hair since childhood: a case report. Glob J Res Anal, 2023; 103-104.
ZIN T, et al. Efferent limb of gastrojejunostomy obstruction by a whole okra phytobezoar: case report and brief review. World J Gastrointest Endosc, 2012; 4: 197-200.
