Rapunzel syndrome in an adolescent child: clinical case

Gastrointestinal bezoars in children are a rather rare pathology. Rapunzel syndrome is characterized by a large trichobezoar in the stomach with a tail that extends beyond the pylorus into the small intestine, causing mechanical obstruction of the small intestine. Some cases of bezoars remain undiagnosed for a long time, since complaints or objective changes are nonspecific. Aim- to raise awareness of Rapunzel syndrome as a rare pathology of the digestive system in children. Clinical case. The analysis of a retrospective clinical review of one case of surgical intervention for a large gastric bezoar. The patient's gender and age, composition and size of the bezoar, clinical, laboratory and instrumental changes, surgical tactics and scope of intervention were analyzed. The problem of diagnosing and treating rare diseases of the digestive tract remains relevant. The medical record of a 14-year-old teenager with Rapunzel syndrome was analyzed. Symptoms of the pathology were lack of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, bad breath, and an objective examination of the abdomen revealed the formation of a dense consistency. After surgical treatment, the patient recovered without complications. Conclusions. Rapunzel syndrome is a rare cause of digestive symptoms in children, such as abdominal pain, anorexia, or weight loss. Raising awareness of the risk factors for this condition is crucial for early diagnosis. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Parents' informed consent was obtained for children's participation in the study. The authors declare no conflict of interest.