Laparoscopic Treatment of Gastric Trichobezoar

Trichobezoar is a mass of swallowed hair that accumulates in the stomach and fails to pass through the intestines. They occur in young patients, typically female with mental disorders. Many approaches have been proposed for the treatment of bezoars, such as gastroscopic fragmentation, nasogastric lavage or suction, enzymatic therapy, and laparotomy. With the advent of laparoscopic surgery, it became possible to remove such lesions without large abdominal incisions, better cosmetics and reduced pain. The aim of the study is to present an 18-year-old female who had gastric trichobezoar that was successfully treated with a laparoscopic technique, using anterior gastrotomy and laparoscopic suture. The laparoscopic approach may be the treatment of choice for trichobezoar removal in the future, with potential benefits to the patients.