Rare surgery: 1-kg hairball removed from 9-year-old girl’s stomach, intestine in Kerala

Rare surgery: 1-kg hairball removed from 9-year-old girl’s stomach, intestine in Kerala

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 3, 2026: Doctors at a private hospital in Neyyattinkara have removed a one-kg mass of hair from the stomach and small intestine of a nine-year-old girl in a rare surgery, hospital authorities said on Saturday.

The girl, who was diagnosed with Rapunzel syndrome, was admitted to NIMS Medicity with persistent abdominal pain and vomiting.

According to the hospital, ultrasound and CT scans revealed severe intestinal obstruction. An endoscopy subsequently detected a large mass of hair accumulated in the stomach and small intestine.

The hairball, known medically as a trichobezoar, was completely removed through a complex surgical procedure led by Dr Biju I G Nair, senior consultant in paediatric surgery.

The girl recovered well after the surgery, resumed normal eating and was discharged from the hospital, Dr Nair said.

He explained that a trichobezoar forms when a person repeatedly pulls out and swallows hair. Since hair cannot be digested, it can gradually accumulate in the stomach and form a hard mass, potentially causing intestinal obstruction.

The surgical team included senior consultant paediatric surgeon Dr Rajendran S, medical gastroenterologist Dr Neehar, anaesthetist Dr Ijas, head of Paediatrics and Neonatology Dr Haseena and nursing staff member Sreekutty.

Rapunzel syndrome is an extremely rare condition in which a trichobezoar extends from the stomach into the small intestine. It is usually reported among adolescent girls. Hospital authorities said fewer than 100 cases have been reported worldwide.