Gastric Perforation Secondary to Trichobezoar: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Bezoars are collections of indigestible materials in the gastrointestinal tract they can be formed by hair (trichobezoars) cellulose (phytobezoars) milk (lactobezoars) and other materials. Presentation of the Case:  Our patient is a 17 year old female, with no history of mental illness, presenting to the emergency room with generalized abdominal pain with physical examination finding a tender abdomen, CT scan showed pneumoperitoneum, a trichobezoar in the stomach with gastric solution of continuity, the patient was operated on, a gastrotomy was performed with extraction of the trichobezoar, the perforation and gastrotomy were sutured, and a peritoneal lavage was done, the post operative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fifth day. Discussion: Trichobezoar is the accumulation of hair in GI tract forming a mass, the natural course is growth which can lead to perforation, the standard surgical approach is laparotomy, although in literature the laparoscopic approach has been described. Conclusion: Trichobezoar is a treatable affection, the complications of which can be lethal, it requires a multidisciplinary approach to avoid recurrence.