THE RAPUNZEL SYNDROME - REPORT OF A CASE AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The Rapunzel Syndrome, a rare manifestation of trichobezoar, occurs wh en bolus gastrointestinal obstruction is produced by an unusual tricho bezoar with a long tail that extends to or beyond the ileocaecal valve . A five-year-old Jamaican girl presented with this abnormality and wa s found at laparotomy also to have an ileo-ileal intussusception. For the Rapunzel Syndrome, we recommend bezoar extraction at laparotomy vi a multiple enterotomies. In addition, psychiatric evaluation and thera py is essential due to the commonly associated finding of underlying e motional stress.