Tangled Troubles: A Rare Case of Rapunzel Syndrome in a Young Female Patient

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare and fascinating disease diagnosed when large trichobezoars are found in the patient's GI tract, and most of them suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and trichotillomania. This report describes the case of a 27-year-old female patient who had abdominal pain, a progressively increasing abdominal mass, early satiety, and profound weight loss during the past six months. Physical examination, radiology, and endoscopy showed a large inhomogeneous mass filling the lumen from the stomach to the jejunum. Exploratory laparotomy, gastrotomy, and multiple enterotomies were done to remove a giant trichobezoar extending from the stomach to the transverse colon. The postoperative stay was uneventful, with the patient being allowed oral intake by day 3 and discharged on postoperative day (POD) 5 with proper psychiatric advice for continuation of antidepressants. Recognizing Rapunzel syndrome early can make the difference between a smooth recovery and life-threatening complications such as bowel obstruction or perforation. Timely surgery, followed by compassionate psychiatric care and ongoing support, is key not only to treating the immediate problem but also to helping patients avoid relapse and regain long-term well-being.