07.08.2026 17:20
A giant hairball was successfully removed from the stomach of a 15-year-old child treated at İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital. In the case, diagnosed with Rapunzel syndrome, which is rare in the medical world, experts noted that hair pulling and eating habits can pose a life-threatening risk if not recognized, and emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and psychiatric support.
A 15-year-old child being treated at İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital had a giant hairball successfully removed from their stomach through an operation. The patient was diagnosed with the extremely rare "Rapunzel syndrome."
A successful operation worthy of being recorded in medical literature was performed at Sancaktepe Şehit Prof. Dr. İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital. During examinations of the 15-year-old pediatric patient who presented to the hospital with stomach complaints, a large mass was detected in their stomach. Racing against time, specialists urgently took the patient into surgery.
GIANT HAIRBALL REMOVED FROM STOMACH Following the successful surgical intervention, a massive hairball (trichobezoar) was removed from the child's stomach. In detailed clinical evaluations conducted, the patient was diagnosed with "Rapunzel syndrome," a psychological-based condition that is extremely rare in the medical world.
IF NOT TREATED IN TIME... Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sefa Sağ, a Pediatric Surgery Specialist who led the team that performed the operation, made important warnings about the process. Emphasizing that hair pulling (trichotillomania) and hair eating (trichophagia) habits can pose a life-threatening danger if not noticed and treated in time, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sağ stated that hair accumulating in the stomach cannot be digested, hardens over time, turns into a mass, and can cause serious organ damage.
Pediatric Surgery Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sefa Sağ PATIENT'S HEALTH CONDITION IS GOOD It was learned that the 15-year-old patient, who was taken under observation after the successful operation, is in good general health and their treatment continues stably.